Rainbow Trout fishing at Pennington Mine

Come spring, look for rainbow trout tight to the bank in 5 to 20 ft. They move out to 8 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 8 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Secondary point: a point around 12 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon is the honest summer answer here.

Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Pennington Mine

Spring puts cisco (lake herring) in skinny water — 10 to 40 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 40 to 80 ft; cold water stacks them in 20 to 60 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 220 ft, rated good for spring cisco (lake herring). Plan around early morning in the warm months. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Pennington Mine

Spring puts yellow perch in skinny water — 3 to 12 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 10 to 30 ft, wintering in 15 to 35 ft. Spring yellow perch concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated feeding flat around 9 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Pennington Mine

Spring northern pike on Pennington Mine hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. The chart's best answer is Shallow bay flat — feeding flat, 9 ft, prime for winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Pennington Mine

Early season largemouth bass use the shallows, holding in 2 to 10 ft. Expect a summer slide to 8 to 20 ft, then a winter hold in 15 to 35 ft. Put Secondary point first on the milk run — a point near 12 ft that grades prime for fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.

Rock Bass fishing at Pennington Mine

Spring puts rock bass in skinny water — 2 to 10 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 5 to 20 ft; cold water stacks them in 12 to 30 ft. Secondary point is the standout, a point at roughly 12 ft, rated prime for summer rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

How deep is Pennington Mine?

Pennington Mine is about 220 ft (67 m) deep 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 Pennington Mine?

Anglers target rainbow trout, cisco (lake herring), yellow perch, northern pike, largemouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed on Pennington Mine.

Where is the best fishing spot on Pennington Mine?

Secondary point is the top-rated area: a point in about 12 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in fall. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.

When is the best time to fish Pennington Mine?

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

Is Pennington Mine stocked with fish?

Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Pennington Mine was most recently stocked 2025 with 1,700 lake trout (yearlings). The full stocking history is listed above.

What are the fishing regulations for Pennington Mine?

Fishing on Pennington Mine 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.