Walleye fishing at Thistledew

Spring walleye on Thistledew hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 15 to 35 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 40 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 30 ft that grades prime for fall. The feeding windows run the evening and early morning. The summer box starts with a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled).

Yellow Perch fishing at Thistledew

Early season yellow perch use the shallows, holding in 3 to 12 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 15 to 35 ft. Put Shallow bay flat first on the milk run — a weed flat near 9 ft that grades prime for spring. 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.

Northern Pike fishing at Thistledew

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. Back-bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage most summer days.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Thistledew

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 12 to 40 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 11 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Time it for early morning and the evening. You won't need more than a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig most summer days.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Thistledew

Spring puts largemouth bass in skinny water — 2 to 10 ft is the zone. As the season builds they drop to 8 to 20 ft, wintering in 15 to 35 ft. Spring largemouth bass concentrate at Shallow bay flat, a prime-rated weed flat around 9 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Thistledew

Come spring, look for rock bass tight to the bank in 2 to 10 ft. Expect a summer slide to 5 to 20 ft, then a winter hold in 12 to 30 ft. Start at Main-lake point. It's a point holding about 11 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in the evening. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig is the honest summer answer here.

How deep is Thistledew?

Thistledew is about 40 ft (12 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1963, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map).

What fish are in Thistledew?

Anglers target walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed on Thistledew.

Where is the best fishing spot on Thistledew?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 30 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.

When is the best time to fish Thistledew?

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.

Is Thistledew stocked with fish?

Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Thistledew was most recently stocked 2025 with 73,000 walleye (fry). The full stocking history is listed above.

What are the fishing regulations for Thistledew?

Fishing on Thistledew 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.