Mud Lake, Traverse County Fishing
Traverse County, 2,449 acres, 6.5 feet deep.
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Mud Lake, Traverse County, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Mud Lake, Traverse County, a lake in Traverse County, at 2,449 acres. Maximum depth is 6.5 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 1,526 acres (62%). Wheaton is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 5 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Ortonville manages it. It falls under the South Dakota-Minnesota border water regulations.
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and white crappie. Boaters have 1 public water access. The last DNR standard survey ran on June 8, 2015. Walleye catch rates sat within normal: 8.75 per gill net against 3.2-15.3.
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The standard survey of June 8, 2015 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 | 35 | 8.75 | 3.2-15.3 | 0.92 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.3 | 0.3-1.7 | 3.94 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 46 | 11.5 | 1.2-7.8 | 2.99 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.5 | 2.52 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 31 | 7.75 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.31 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.1 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.05 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.4 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.03 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.2 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.38 | 0.2-0.4 |
| White crappie | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.5 | 0.8-11.0 | 0.06 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.25 | 0.2-0.7 | 0.19 | 0.3-0.4 |
| White bass | Standard gill nets | 7 | 1.75 | 0.8-7.1 | 1.55 | |
| White bass | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.2 | 0.4-1.9 | 1.58 | 0.2-0.8 |
Mud Lake, Traverse County gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Mud Lake, Traverse County
“Mud Lake is located in western Minnesota, approximately four miles west of Wheaton.”
“It is a highly productive lake that measures 2,500 acres at normal summer pool level with a maximum depth of 7 feet.”
“Mud Lake is on the Minnesota-South Dakota border and is subject to border water fishing regulations.”
“Mud Lake has a high potential for winterkill and the fish community may reflect that at times.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Mud Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Mud Lake, Traverse County
- Mud Lake Access near Wheaton1 ramp, 12 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Water accesses near Mud Lake, Traverse County
- Mustinka River Access near WheatonMustinka River, 3 miles south
- Traverse Lake, #1 AccessTraverse, 8 miles southwest
- Traverse Lake, #2, Fish Camp AccessTraverse, 10 miles southwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Mud Lake, Traverse County basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 2 Secchi readings on Mud Lake, Traverse County since 2010.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Water level on Mud Lake, Traverse County
USGS has no current reading for these gauges.
US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District (CWMS), reading for Oct 18, 2026. Retrieved Oct 22, 2026 3:33 am ET. Not updated since Oct 18, 2026.
USACE St. Paul District series White Rock Dam at Mud Lake Reservoir, White Rock Dam pool; datum OTHER. Reading on file 970 ft on 2026-10-19.
Fish found in Mud Lake, Traverse County
Every species shown for Mud Lake, Traverse County turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Mud Lake, Traverse County
Statewide inland limits are the whole rule set on Mud Lake, Traverse County.
South Dakota-Minnesota season table for Mud Lake, Traverse County
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 4 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20") | Continuous |
| Northern pike (angling) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 6 | Continuous |
| Northern pike (spearing) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 3 | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 6 combined total | Continuous |
| Crappie | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 10 | Continuous |
| Sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, green, orangespotted, northern, warmouth, and their hybrids) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Rock bass | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 20 | Continuous |
| Bullhead | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 100 | Continuous |
| Perch | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 15 daily and 30 in possession | Continuous |
| Catfish (channel and flathead) | Big Stone Lake, Hendricks Lake, Lake Traverse, Mud Lake, Bois de Sioux River to North Dakota border, Mustinka River from | 5 combined total. Not more than 2 can be flathead (only 1 catfish over 24"). | Channel catfish: continuous; Flathead catfish: April 1 – Nov. 30 |
| 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 |
Mud Lake, Traverse County sits in the North-central 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.
Sizing up Mud Lake, Traverse County against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mud Lake, Traverse County | 2,449 | 6.5 | 1 | 8.75 | |
| Traverse Lake | 12 miles southwest | 10,849 | 12 | 4 | 42.83 |
| Barry Lake | 17 miles south | 398 | 8.8 | 1 | 0.25 |
| East Toqua Lake | 19 miles southeast | 437 | 9 | 2 | 22 |
| Lannon Lake | 20 miles southeast | 197 | 4 | 0 | 60 |
| Lone Tree Slough | 23 miles southeast | 90 | 8.5 | 0 | 4.78 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Mud Lake, Traverse County
More Minnesota lakes near Mud Lake, Traverse County
- Traverse Lake12 miles southwest
- Barry Lake17 miles south
- East Toqua Lake19 miles southeast
- Lannon Lake20 miles southeast
- Lone Tree Slough23 miles southeast
Minnow buckets filled near Mud Lake, Traverse County
- Ben's Servicebait and tackle shop, Traverse, 19 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Mud Lake, Traverse County
- Wheaton5 miles
- Dumont11 miles
- Barry18 miles
Counties that Mud Lake, Traverse County reaches
- Traverse Countyseat: Wheaton
Four Piscifun picks for Mud Lake, Traverse County
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Fish to look for at Mud Lake, Traverse County
Photo: -Rorey-, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Nick Loveland, CC0
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Handy answers on Mud Lake, Traverse County
Which DNR office covers Mud Lake, Traverse County?
In Traverse County, managed from the Ortonville fisheries office, about 5 miles from Wheaton.
What is the maximum depth of Mud Lake, Traverse County?
The DNR record gives 2,449 acres, 6.5 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Mud Lake, Traverse County?
1 public access, with Mud Lake Access near Wheaton listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Mud Lake, Traverse County?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, white crappie and rock bass.
When did the DNR last survey Mud Lake, Traverse County?
June 8, 2015, in a standard survey. walleye ran 8.75 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Mud Lake, Traverse County?
No special rule; statewide rows in the North-central Zone.
Do kids need a license on Mud Lake, Traverse County?
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 Mud Lake, Traverse County?
Average clarity: 1.6 feet.
Where are minnows sold near Mud Lake, Traverse County?
Drive 19 miles to reach Ben's Service.
Plan a lake day on Mud Lake, Traverse County
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.