Walleye fishing at Gilbert Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 18 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 6 ft that scores prime in fall. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Gilbert Lake

Spring yellow perch on Gilbert Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 18 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 18 ft. The spot to know is Back-bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Best bite is early morning. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Gilbert Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 18 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 2 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Gilbert Lake

Spring smallmouth bass on Gilbert Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 18 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 18 ft. Secondary point is the standout, a point at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Gilbert Lake

In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 18 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 18 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 2 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Gilbert Lake

Spring rock bass on Gilbert Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 5 to 18 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 18 ft. Secondary point is the standout, a point at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for summer rock bass. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

How deep is Gilbert Lake?

Gilbert Lake is about 18 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.

What fish are in Gilbert Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, common carp, rock bass, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Gilbert Lake. This isn't a survey of the lake — none is on record for it — but an informed estimate from the species listed for the nearest surveyed lakes in the region, filtered to this lake's depth and habitat.

Where is the best fishing spot on Gilbert Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Gilbert Lake?

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