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Rating depth structure for walleye.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
897-acre lake near North Dakota. North Dakota Game & Fish survey water. The lake tops out around 28 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
Drawn out, this is 897 acres of water rimmed by 4.5 miles of bank. Nearly circular (index 1.1), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. About 76% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 1.6 mi of water from one end to the other, 1.2 mi at the beam. You'll find it in Wells County. The nearest mapped water is Silver Lake WMA, 7 mi to the northwest.
Spring walleye on Monson Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 28 ft, and by winter most fish are in 8 to 28 ft. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 28 ft, prime for winter. Prime time lands in the evening and early morning. The summer box starts with a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled).
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 | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Main-lake point (2 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 8 to 28 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 8 to 28 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Deep basin (28 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 8 to 28 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Early season yellow perch use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Summer is an 8 to 28 ft game here, winter an 8 to 28 ft one. The chart's best answer is Shallow bay flat — weed flat, 4 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.
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 | 3 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (4 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank |
| Summer | 8 to 28 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm |
| Fall | 8 to 28 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (28 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader |
| Winter | 8 to 28 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday & dawn | Deep basin (28 ft) | Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small) |
The chart marks 7 structure features on Monson Lake; the deepest is Deep basin at about 28 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for North Dakota waters are set by the North Dakota Game and Fish — and special regulations can apply to Monson Lake specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official North Dakota fishing regulations →
Monson Lake is about 28 ft (9 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target walleye, yellow perch on Monson Lake.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 28 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in winter. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
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.
Fishing on Monson Lake is regulated by the North Dakota Game and Fish. Check the official North Dakota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Silver Lake WMA 7 mi · Schumacher Lake 7 mi · Jasper Lake 8 mi · Remmick Lake 9 mi · Hurdsfield-Tuffy Lake 10 mi · Geier Lake 11 mi · Frettim Lake 13 mi · Woodhouse Lake 14 mi · Des Moines Lake 15 mi · Lake Williams 16 mi · Sykeston Dam 17 mi · Lake Josephine 18 mi
See how Monson Lake stacks up: best walleye lakes in North Dakota · best yellow perch lakes in North Dakota
More water nearby: Wells County fishing maps (6 charts). Browse all North Dakota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. 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.