Lake Pepin Fishing
Goodhue County and Wabasha County, 12,299 acres, 60 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lake Pepin, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Lake Pepin, a lake in Goodhue County and Wabasha County, at 12,299 acres. Maximum depth is 60 feet, with an average of 21 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 8,378 acres (68%). Lake City is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 4 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Lake City manages it. It falls under the Wisconsin-Minnesota border water regulations.
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Boaters have 5 public water accesses, 4 of them trailer launches. The last DNR large lake survey ran on July 11, 2024. Walleye catch rates sat within normal: 4 per gill net against 3.3-14.8. Open water typically returns near March 29, per 110 DNR records.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR nets turned up on Lake Pepin
The large lake survey of July 11, 2024 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 96 | 4 | 3.3-14.8 | 1.75 | 0.9-1.5 |
| Walleye | Standard trawling | 155 | 3.88 | 0.64 | ||
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 29 | 1.21 | 0.9-4.3 | 4.91 | 2.4-4.3 |
| Northern pike | Standard trawling | 2 | 0.05 | 2.56 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 368 | 15.33 | 9.9-57.1 | 0.34 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trawling | 86 | 2.15 | 0.3 | ||
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 9 | 0.38 | 0.1-0.7 | 0.27 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Survey seining | 36 | 1.89 | |||
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 6 | 0.25 | 0.14 | ||
| Bluegill | Survey seining | 380 | 20 | |||
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.04 | 0.0-0.1 | 3.63 | 0.2-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Survey seining | 30 | 1.58 | 0.08 |
Lake Pepin gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Lake Pepin
“Anglers in 2021-2023 experienced "low" summer and fall water levels not seen since the late 1980s.”
“These levels presented challenges to anglers whose experience on Pool 4 only took place during the last decade or so when "high water" has been the norm, but strong populations of multiple gamefish species particularly Walleye, Sauger, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie were enjoyed by many.”
“In 2024 higher summer water levels returned and catches remained good for most gamefish species.”
“Yellow Perch catches from the Lake Pepin portion of Pool 4 seemed to decrease a bit and a resurgent Northern Pike population offered excellent opportunities for anglers at times throughout the summer.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Lake Pepin (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Lake Pepin
- Mississippi River, Hok-Si-La Park Access2 ramps, 60 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, City of Lake City
- Mississippi River, Roschen Park Access2 ramps, 55 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, City of Lake City
- Mississippi River, Maple Springs Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Mississippi River, Ohuta Municipal Park Access1 ramp, 40 trailer stalls, 1 dock, City of Lake City
- Mississippi River, Lake City Sportman's Club Accesscarry-in access, 20 trailer stalls, City of Lake City
Docks for anglers at Lake Pepin
- Pepin Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Lake City
Water accesses near Lake Pepin
- Mississippi River, Colville Municipal Park AccessU.S. Lock & Dam #4 Pool, 12 miles northwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Lake Pepin basin shape
On Lake Pepin, recorded ice-out dates run from February 29, 2000 to May 20, 1843.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Water level on Lake Pepin
DNR gauge readers record Lake Pepin by hand; the last entry is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish found in Lake Pepin
Every species shown for Lake Pepin turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Lake Pepin
Statewide inland limits are the whole rule set on Lake Pepin.
Wisconsin-Minnesota season table for Lake Pepin
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | St. Louis River Estuary | 2 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye) | May 9, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | 6 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye) | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | St. Croix River downstream of Taylors Falls Dam to the U.S. Hwy 10 bridge | 4 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, only 1 walleye or sauger over 20") | May 2, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Mississippi River Pools 3-8 including Lake Pepin | 4 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, only 1 walleye or sauger over 20") | Continuous |
| Walleye and sauger | Mississippi River downstream of Lock and Dam 8 | 6 combined total (15" minimum size for walleye, all walleye from 20-27" must be immediately released, only 1 walleye ove | Continuous |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Louis River Estuary | 5 combined total (14" minimum size) | May 23, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | 5 (14" minimum size) | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River upstream of Taylors Falls Dam | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | St. Croix River downstream of Taylors Falls Dam to U.S. Hwy 10 bridge | 5 (14" minimum size) | May 23, 2026 – March 1, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Mississippi River and Lake Pepin | 5 (14" minimum size) | Continuous |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | 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 |
Lake Pepin sits in the Southern Zone by map position, which sets the pike and bass rows.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lake Pepin as a tournament water
Event dates on Lake Pepin are on its tournament page.
Sizing up Lake Pepin against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Pepin | 12,299 | 60 | 5 | 4 | |
| Frontenac Lake, Goodhue County | 3 miles west | 79 | 8 | 0 | |
| Goose Lake, Goodhue County | 20 miles northwest | 220 | 5.7 | 0 | 0.27 |
| Clear Lake, Goodhue County | 24 miles northwest | 226 | 7 | 0 | |
| Zumbro Lake | 24 miles southwest | 715 | 43 | 2 | 0.33 |
| Shady Lake | 27 miles southwest | 144 | 13 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Lake Pepin
More Minnesota lakes near Lake Pepin
- Frontenac Lake, Goodhue County3 miles west
- Goose Lake, Goodhue County20 miles northwest
- Clear Lake, Goodhue County24 miles northwest
- Zumbro Lake24 miles southwest
- Shady Lake27 miles southwest
Minnow buckets filled near Lake Pepin
- Hansen's Harbormarina, Goodhue, 2 miles
- Lake City Marina Officesmarina, Lake City, 3 miles
- Bill's Bay Marinamarina, Red Wing, 12 miles
- Runningsfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Red Wing, 13 miles
- Red Wing Marinamarina, Red Wing, 14 miles
- Ole Miss Marina Officemarina, Red Wing, 14 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Lake Pepin
- Frontenac4 miles
- Lake City4 miles
- Bellechester14 miles
Counties that Lake Pepin reaches
- Goodhue Countyseat: Red Wing
- Wabasha Countyseat: Wabasha
Four Piscifun picks for Lake Pepin
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Fish to look for at Lake Pepin
Photo: Georg Mittenecker, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Handy answers on Lake Pepin
Which DNR office covers Lake Pepin?
In Goodhue County and Wabasha County, managed from the Lake City fisheries office, about 4 miles from Lake City.
What is the maximum depth of Lake Pepin?
The DNR record gives 12,299 acres, 60 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Lake Pepin?
5 public accesses, with Mississippi River, Roschen Park Access listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Lake Pepin?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
When did the DNR last survey Lake Pepin?
July 11, 2024, in a large lake survey. walleye ran 4 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Lake Pepin?
No special rule; statewide rows in the Southern Zone.
Do kids need a license on Lake Pepin?
On border water a Minnesota license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) works under the shared rules; on Canadian water the Canadian portion needs a Canadian license.
How clear is Lake Pepin?
The record gives March 29 as the median and March 29, 2026 as the latest.
Where are minnows sold near Lake Pepin?
Drive 2 miles to reach Hansen's Harbor.
Plan a lake day on Lake Pepin
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.