Walleye fishing at Matson Lake

Spring walleye on Matson Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Matson Lake

In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 22 ft, rated prime for summer northern pike. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Matson Lake

Spring yellow perch on Matson Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 22 ft, rated prime for summer yellow perch. Best bite is early morning. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Matson Lake

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 45 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 20 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Lake Trout fishing at Matson Lake

In spring, lake trout run shallow here, mostly 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 24 to 79 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 79 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 79 ft, rated prime for summer lake trout. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Tie on a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger and you're in the game.

Lake Whitefish fishing at Matson Lake

Spring lake whitefish on Matson Lake hold shallow, usually 15 to 45 ft. By summer they slide out to 24 to 79 ft, and by winter most fish are in 25 to 70 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 79 ft, rated prime for summer lake whitefish. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon covers the summer program.

How deep is Matson Lake?

Matson Lake is about 79 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 Matson Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout, lake whitefish on Matson Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Matson Lake?

Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Matson 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.