Walleye fishing at McKinley Lake

Spring walleye on McKinley Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 27 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 27 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at McKinley 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. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for fall 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 McKinley Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 27 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 27 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 27 ft, rated prime for fall yellow perch. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at McKinley Lake

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 27 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 27 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.

Rainbow Trout fishing at McKinley Lake

Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 7 to 27 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 27 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 26 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.

Lake Trout fishing at McKinley Lake

Start shallow in spring: lake trout sit in 7 to 27 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 8 to 27 ft, and winter fish hold in 7 to 27 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 27 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger covers the summer program.

How deep is McKinley Lake?

McKinley Lake is about 27 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 McKinley Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, channel catfish, rainbow trout, yellow perch, lake trout on McKinley Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on McKinley Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 26 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 McKinley 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.