Maple Lake East Fishing
Polk County, 1,641 acres, 14 feet deep.
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Key facts on Maple Lake East
Maple Lake East covers 1,641 acres of Polk County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 14 feet, with an average of 8.4 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 1,576 acres, roughly 96% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Mentor, about 3 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Detroit Lakes oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 2 public water accesses sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on June 28, 2021. The DNR counted 6.78 walleye per gill net, within its normal range of 3.2-15.3.
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Catch per net set from the standard survey dated June 28, 2021, beside the range the DNR treats as normal for similar lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 61 | 6.78 | 3.2-15.3 | 2.01 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.92 | 0.3-1.7 | 3.86 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 262 | 29.11 | 1.2-7.8 | 2.33 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 49 | 4.08 | 2.49 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.33 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.07 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 13 | 1.44 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.41 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 55 | 4.58 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.43 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 618 | 68.67 | 0.21 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 783 | 65.25 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.19 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.5 | 0.4-4.5 | 0.16 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black bullhead | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.08 | 1.3-78.1 | 1.12 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard gill nets | 11 | 1.22 | 0.6-7.7 | 1.32 | 0.4-1.1 |
Fish per species in the Maple Lake East gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Maple Lake East
“Maple Lake is a 1,641-acre lake located in northern Polk County, two miles south of Mentor.”
“The lake possesses a highly developed shoreline and receives considerable recreational use and angling pressure from the surrounding area.”
“The lake's fishery provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass.”
“A standard fisheries survey was completed on Maple Lake in June 2021.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Maple Lake East (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Maple Lake East
- Maple Lake East Access2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, Polk County
- Maple Lake West Access1 ramp, City of Remer
DNR fishing sites on Maple Lake East
- Maple Lake Fishing Pier, Maple Lake East Public Water Access Sitefishing pier, Polk County, Maple Lake East Public Water Access Site
Boat launches serving Maple Lake East
- Union Lake, West AccessUnion, 6 miles southeast
- Union Lake, East AccessUnion, 7 miles southeast
- Sarah Lake AccessSarah, 7 miles southeast
- Badger Lake Access near ErskineBadger, 7 miles east
- Cameron Lake Access near ErskineCameron, 7 miles east
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Maple Lake East gets
Maple Lake East has 3 clarity readings on file since 2010.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Maple Lake East
This Maple Lake East series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Maple Lake East surveys
LakeFinder builds the Maple Lake East list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Maple Lake East
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Maple Lake East.
| 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 |
Pike and bass rows follow the North-central Zone, where the map puts Maple Lake East; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Maple Lake East
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Lake East | 1,641 | 14 | 2 | 6.78 | |
| Cable Lake | 1 mile north | 194 | 14 | 0 | |
| Crystal Lake, Polk County | 4 miles southeast | 118 | 30 | 0 | |
| Union Lake, Polk County | 7 miles southeast | 887 | 83 | 2 | 6.33 |
| Cameron Lake, Polk County | 7 miles east | 225 | 9 | 1 | |
| Sarah Lake, Polk County | 7 miles southeast | 366 | 27 | 1 | 15.5 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Maple Lake East
Neighbor lakes around Maple Lake East
- Cable Lake1 mile north
- Crystal Lake, Polk County4 miles southeast
- Union Lake, Polk County7 miles southeast
- Cameron Lake, Polk County7 miles east
- Sarah Lake, Polk County7 miles southeast
Bait and tackle closest to Maple Lake East
- Hamres Bait & Fish Farmbait and tackle shop, Erskine, 10 miles
- Wertish Bait Companybait and tackle shop, Mcintosh, 14 miles
- Today's Tacklebait and tackle shop, Beltrami, 19 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Maple Lake East
- Mentor3 miles
- Erskine7 miles
- Fertile10 miles
Maple Lake East, county lines
- Polk Countyseat: Crookston
Piscifun gear suited to Maple Lake East
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Maple Lake East questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Maple Lake East?
Find it in Polk County, managed from the Detroit Lakes fisheries office, about 3 miles from Mentor.
How deep is Maple Lake East?
Roughly 1,641 acres, 14 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Maple Lake East?
Try Maple Lake East Access, one of 2 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Maple Lake East?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed.
How does Maple Lake East compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of June 28, 2021. walleye ran 6.78 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Maple Lake East?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Maple Lake East?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the ice-out date for Maple Lake East?
Secchi readings average 4.7 feet.
Which bait shop is closest to Maple Lake East?
Hamres Bait & Fish Farm is about 10 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Maple Lake East
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.