Walleye fishing at River Lake

Spring walleye on River Lake hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 15 to 35 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 40 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 11 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at River Lake

Spring northern pike on River Lake 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. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 2 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at River Lake

Spring yellow perch on River 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. Back-bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 4 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at River Lake

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 45 ft. The spot to know is Secondary point, a point in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.

Lake Trout fishing at River Lake

In spring, lake trout run shallow here, mostly 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 20 to 66 ft in summer and finish the year down in 17 to 66 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 64 ft that scores prime in summer. Best bite is early morning. Summer baits: a white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger gets it done.

Lake Whitefish fishing at River Lake

In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 15 to 45 ft. They move out to 20 to 66 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 66 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 64 ft that scores prime in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.

How deep is River Lake?

River Lake is about 66 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 River Lake?

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

Where is the best fishing spot on River Lake?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 2 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish River 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.