Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Whalen Lake

In spring, cisco (lake herring) run shallow here, mostly 8 to 30 ft. Summer fish stay in 9 to 30 ft, and winter fish hold in 9 to 30 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for spring cisco (lake herring). In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Tie on a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic and you're in the game.

Walleye fishing at Whalen Lake

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 9 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 9 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 14 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Whalen Lake

In spring, yellow perch 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 9 to 30 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Best bite is early morning. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Whalen Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Rock Bass fishing at Whalen Lake

Start shallow in spring: rock bass sit in 2 to 10 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 5 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 12 to 30 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 8 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.

Pumpkinseed fishing at Whalen Lake

Start shallow in spring: pumpkinseed sit in 1 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 2 to 10 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 18 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) covers the summer program.

How deep is Whalen Lake?

Whalen Lake is about 30 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 Whalen Lake?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed on Whalen Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Whalen Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 26 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Whalen Lake?

For cisco (lake herring), 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.