Gull Lake, Cass County Fishing
Cass County and Crow Wing County, 10,010 acres, 80 feet deep.
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The short version on Gull Lake, Cass County
Gull Lake, Cass County is a lake of 10,010 acres in Cass County and Crow Wing County. Depth bottoms out near 80 feet, with an average of 32 feet. 3,390 acres, about 34% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 4 miles reaches East Gull Lake, the nearest city. It falls under the Brainerd area fisheries office. It is on the DNR muskie lake list with a introduced population.
Recent DNR surveys found walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are 3 public water accesses around the lake. The most recent standard survey dates to July 14, 2025. The walleye catch of 5.67 per gill net was within the DNR normal range of 4.0-9.6. Median ice-out since 1950 is April 21, from 98 records.
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From the standard survey completed July 14, 2025: catch, catch per set and average weight against the DNR normal ranges.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 85 | 5.67 | 4.0-9.6 | 1.31 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 12 | 0.8 | 0.3-0.9 | 3.68 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 45 | 3 | 3.0-7.9 | 4.1 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.13 | 3.55 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 202 | 13.47 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.1 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 13 | 0.87 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.12 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.38 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 22 | 1.47 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.33 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 103 | 6.87 | 0.12 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 430 | 28.67 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 25 | 1.67 | 0.3-1.2 | 1.24 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 0.4-1.4 | 1.13 | 0.3-0.7 |
Gill net catch on Gull Lake, Cass County by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Gull Lake, Cass County
“Gull is a 10,010 acre lake in the Crow Wing River watershed in Crow Wing County.”
“It is located six miles north of Brainerd and has DNR administered public accesses on the east and north shores.”
“An Army Corps of Engineers access is located on the southeastern shore near the outlet of the Gull River.”
“Gull Lake is heavily developed, and recreational traffic can be very heavy during summer months.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Gull Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Gull Lake, Cass County
- Gull Lake (E) Access2 ramps, 27 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Gull Lake, Government Point Access2 ramps, 58 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Gull Lake, Gull Narrows Access2 ramps, 25 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Shore fishing spots at Gull Lake, Cass County
- Gull Narrows Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Lake Shore, Gull Lake, Gull Narrows Public Water Access Site
Public accesses close to Gull Lake, Cass County
- North Long Lake (NW) AccessNorth Long, 3 miles east
- Gull River AccessGull River, 3 miles south
- Shafer Lake AccessShafer, 3 miles west
- Round Lake Access near NisswaRound, 3 miles east
- North Long Lake (S) AccessNorth Long, 4 miles east
- Hubert Lake AccessHubert, 4 miles northeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Gull Lake, Cass County
49 clarity readings on Gull Lake, Cass County date from 2007 onward.
Extremes in the Gull Lake, Cass County ice-out record: March 17, 2024 early, May 18, 1950 late.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
How high Gull Lake, Cass County is running
US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District (CWMS), reading for Oct 16, 2026. Retrieved Oct 19, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Not updated since Oct 16, 2026.
USACE St. Paul District series Gull Lake near Brainerd, Gull Lake level (lake gauge); datum NGVD-29. Reading on file 1,193.79 ft on 2026-10-19.
US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District (CWMS), reading for Oct 19, 2026. Retrieved Oct 19, 2026 8:33 pm ET.
USACE St. Paul District series Gull Lake Dam, Gull Lake Dam pool; datum NGVD-29. Reading on file 1,193.77 ft on 2026-10-19.
Readings in the DNR record for Gull Lake, Cass County come from gauge readers, so each one is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish swimming in Gull Lake, Cass County
Survey catches from the DNR set this Gull Lake, Cass County species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Gull Lake, Cass County rules from the DNR booklet
The DNR posts these special limits on Gull Lake, Cass County.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit two, only one over 40". | Including Upper Gull, Margaret, Ray, Love, Nisswa, Roy, and Round Lakes |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
By location Gull Lake, Cass County belongs to the North-central Zone; check posted boundaries near the lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Gull Lake, Cass County event dates
The Gull Lake, Cass County tournament page lists permits, dates and winners.
How Gull Lake, Cass County stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gull Lake, Cass County | 10,010 | 80 | 3 | 5.67 | |
| Agate Lake, Cass County | under a mile northwest | 157 | 9 | 0 | 2.5 |
| Ruth Lake, Cass County | 2 miles southeast | 94 | 42 | 0 | 1 |
| Love Lake | 2 miles east | 79 | 27 | 0 | 0.67 |
| Margaret Lake near Lake Shore, Cass County | 3 miles north | 251 | 26 | 0 | 1.17 |
| Hartley Lake, Crow Wing County | 3 miles southeast | 136 | 20 | 0 | 4 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Gull Lake, Cass County
Lakes one stop past Gull Lake, Cass County
- Agate Lake, Cass Countyunder a mile northwest
- Ruth Lake, Cass County2 miles southeast
- Love Lake2 miles east
- Margaret Lake near Lake Shore, Cass County3 miles north
- Hartley Lake, Crow Wing County3 miles southeast
Bait shops an easy drive from Gull Lake, Cass County
- Madden's On Gull Lake Resort Marinamarina, Cass, 4 miles
- Gull Lake Marinamarina, Nisswa, 5 miles
- Outfit 2 Fishbait and tackle shop, Pequot Lakes, 8 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Baxtersporting goods store, Baxter, 9 miles
- Musky Tackle Onlinebait and tackle shop, Pequot Lakes, 11 miles
- Lakelady Rodsbait and tackle shop, Pequot Lakes, 11 miles
Guide services on Gull Lake, Cass County
- Seagull Creek Fishing Campopen water guide / launch, Saganaga / Seagull lakes, (218) 388-9929
Towns to stay in near Gull Lake, Cass County
- East Gull Lake4 miles
- Lake Shore4 miles
- Nisswa5 miles
Gull Lake, Cass County and its counties
- Cass Countyseat: Walker
- Crow Wing Countyseat: Brainerd
Reels and a weigh grip for Gull Lake, Cass County
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Catches common at Gull Lake, Cass County
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Robert Colletta, Public domain
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Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Gull Lake, Cass County, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Gull Lake, Cass County in?
Look in Cass County and Crow Wing County, managed from the Brainerd fisheries office, about 4 miles from East Gull Lake.
How does Gull Lake, Cass County rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 10,010 acres, 80 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Gull Lake, Cass County?
3 public accesses; Gull Lake (E) Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in Gull Lake, Cass County?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
What did the last survey of Gull Lake, Cass County find?
The newest is a standard survey from July 14, 2025. walleye ran 5.67 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Gull Lake, Cass County?
Northern Pike: All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit two, only one over 40".
Which Minnesota license do I need on Gull Lake, Cass County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Is there a level gauge on Gull Lake, Cass County?
Ice usually leaves near April 21; most recently April 18, 2025.
Who sells leeches near Gull Lake, Cass County?
Madden's On Gull Lake Resort Marina, about 4 miles away.
Add Gull Lake, Cass County to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.