Lake Trout fishing at Zarn Lake

Start shallow in spring: lake trout sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 34 to 112 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 80 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 95 ft, rated prime for summer lake trout. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A white tube jig (deep) or a magnum spoon on downrigger covers the summer program.

Lake Whitefish fishing at Zarn Lake

In spring, lake whitefish run shallow here, mostly 15 to 45 ft. They move out to 40 to 90 ft in summer and finish the year down in 25 to 70 ft. Rock reef is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 6.973948082926561 ft, rated prime for fall lake whitefish. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Tie on a blade bait vertical or a small jigging spoon and you're in the game.

Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Zarn Lake

Spring cisco (lake herring) on Zarn Lake hold shallow, usually 10 to 40 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 40 to 80 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 60 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Rock reef: a rock pile around 6.183452648164949 ft that scores prime in fall. 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 Zarn Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 15 to 35 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Rock reef: a rock pile around 6.183452648164949 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Zarn 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 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring yellow perch. 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 Zarn Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

How deep is Zarn Lake?

Zarn Lake is about 112 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 Zarn Lake?

Anglers target walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout, lake whitefish, burbot, cisco (lake herring) on Zarn Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Zarn Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 95 ft of water that rates prime for lake trout in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Zarn Lake?

For lake trout, 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.