Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Fish Hook

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 21 to 70 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 60 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 70 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in summer. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. Throw a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic until the fish tell you otherwise.

Walleye fishing at Fish Hook

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 15 to 35 ft before dropping to 20 to 40 ft for winter. Fall walleye concentrate at Break off the point, a prime-rated drop-off around 39 ft. Fish it in the evening and early morning and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) most summer days.

Yellow Perch fishing at Fish Hook

The spring pattern is a shallow one: yellow perch in 3 to 12 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 10 to 30 ft before dropping to 15 to 35 ft for winter. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 1 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Fish Hook

When the water first warms, northern pike slide up into 2 to 8 ft. Summer is an 8 to 20 ft game here, winter a 5 to 15 ft one. Start at Shallow bay flat. It's a weed flat holding about 1 ft of water and rates prime come spring. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage rigged through the warm months.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Fish Hook

When the water first warms, smallmouth bass slide up into 3 to 12 ft. Summer is a 10 to 30 ft game here, winter a 20 to 45 ft one. Start at Break off the point. It's a drop-off holding about 39 ft of water and rates prime come winter. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening. Keep a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig rigged through the warm months.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Fish Hook

Come spring, look for largemouth bass tight to the bank in 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 1 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait is the honest summer answer here.

How deep is Fish Hook?

Fish Hook is about 70 ft (21 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1967, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map).

What fish are in Fish Hook?

Anglers target cisco (lake herring), walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Fish Hook.

Where is the best fishing spot on Fish Hook?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 70 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.

When is the best time to fish Fish Hook?

For cisco (lake herring), the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.

Is Fish Hook stocked with fish?

Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Fish Hook was most recently stocked 2025 with 16,414 walleye (fingerlings). The full stocking history is listed above.

What are the fishing regulations for Fish Hook?

Fishing on Fish Hook is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.