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127-acre lake near Lake County. The lake tops out around 76 ft. The depth picture is modeled, anchored to the true shoreline and the water's published max depth — a scouting aid, never a chart to run a boat by. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Traced from the shoreline, Makwa runs 127 acres with 3.5 miles of edge. The 2.2 development index tells the story — a convoluted bank whose fishable edge far outruns the acreage. Roughly 50% of the water is 15 ft or less as modeled, the band where the food chain lives. The basin spans about 1.2 mi end to end and 0.4 mi across at its widest. You'll find it in Lake County. The nearest mapped water is Elton, 1 mi to the northeast.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: lake trout in 10 to 40 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 23 to 76 ft before dropping to 19 to 76 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 65 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (19 ft) | Casting spoon over shoals, Jerkbait (shallow) |
| Summer | 23 to 76 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | dawn | Deep basin (65 ft) | White tube jig (deep), Magnum spoon on downrigger |
| Fall | 10 to 50 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (19 ft) | Heavy casting spoon, Jigging rap over reefs |
| Winter | 19 to 76 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (65 ft) | White tube jig, Airplane jig |
Early season yellow perch use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Summer is a 10 to 30 ft game here, winter a 15 to 35 ft one. The chart's best answer is Shallow bay flat — weed flat, 6 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Break off the point (34 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 12 to 35 ft | midday | Break off the point (34 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Break off the point (34 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 20 ft before dropping to 5 to 15 ft for winter. Spring northern pike concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 6 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 5 to 15 ft | midday | Shallow bay flat (6 ft) | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: burbot in 25 to 70 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 23 to 76 ft before dropping to 15 to 60 ft for winter. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 65 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. Plan around after dark and midday in the warm months. Summer baits: a heavy jig + cut bait gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 25 to 70 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (65 ft) | Glow jigging spoon + cut bait, Rattle bait (dark) |
| Summer | 23 to 76 ft chart-limited; documented 50 to 120 ft | night & midday | Deep basin (65 ft) | Heavy jig + cut bait |
| Fall | 23 to 76 ft chart-limited; documented 30 to 80 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (65 ft) | Glow spoon + minnow head, Blade bait (slow) |
| Winter | 15 to 60 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (65 ft) | Glow tungsten + cut bait, Rattle spoon + minnow head |
Count 6 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deep basin, sits near 65 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Makwa specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Makwa is about 76 ft (23 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target lake trout, yellow perch, northern pike, burbot on Makwa.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 65 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For lake trout, 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.
Fishing on Makwa 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.
Elton 1 mi · Adams 3 mi · Little Saganaga 4 mi · Rattle 4 mi · Raven 4 mi · Gabimichigami 4 mi · Malberg 4 mi · Elm 5 mi · Sagus 5 mi · Beaver 5 mi · Mueller 5 mi · Koma 5 mi
See how Makwa stacks up: best northern pike lakes in Minnesota · best yellow perch lakes in Minnesota · best lake trout lakes in Minnesota · best burbot lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Lake County fishing maps (313 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.