Lake Whitefish fishing at Ross Lake

Start shallow in spring: lake whitefish sit in 13 to 42 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 13 to 42 ft, and winter fish hold in 13 to 42 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 36 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish 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.

Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Ross Lake

Spring cisco (lake herring) on Ross Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. They move out to 13 to 42 ft in summer and finish the year down in 13 to 42 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 36 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic gets it done.

Walleye fishing at Ross Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 19 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Ross Lake

Spring yellow perch on Ross Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 5 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Ross Lake

Spring northern pike on Ross Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Ross 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 13 to 42 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 11 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.

How deep is Ross Lake?

Ross Lake is about 42 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Ross Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake whitefish, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed on Ross Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Ross Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 36 ft of water that rates prime for lake whitefish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Ross Lake?

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