Namakan Lake Fishing
St. Louis County, 24,066 acres, 150 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: NPS, Public domain
Namakan Lake, the basics
Count on 24,066 acres of water at Namakan Lake, a lake in St. Louis County. The DNR depth record tops out at 150 feet, with an average of 44.5 feet. Roughly 50% of the water (11,917 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Orr sits about 29 miles from the lake point. Management falls to the International Falls area fisheries office. It is Canada-Minnesota border water, so shared border rules apply.
DNR sampling has turned up walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and smallmouth bass. LakeFinder records 1 access open to the public. DNR crews completed a standard survey on September 22, 2025. Walleye came in at 7.95 per gill net, within the normal range for similar lakes (3.6-10.8).
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Namakan Lake survey catch
Figures are from the September 22, 2025 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 159 | 7.95 | 3.6-10.8 | 0.81 | 0.8-1.3 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 40 | 2 | 1.1-2.4 | 2.54 | 2.8-4.3 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 50 | 2.5 | 1.4-6.8 | 0.22 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.25 | 0.2-0.8 | 0.85 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 7 | 0.35 | 0.61 | ||
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 17 | 0.85 | 0.2-0.6 | 1.75 | 0.7-1.2 |
| Cisco species | Standard gill nets | 25 | 1.25 | 1.1 | ||
| Lake whitefish | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.15 | 0.1-3.0 | 2.06 | 0.9-2.8 |
| Sauger | Standard gill nets | 51 | 2.55 | 2.1-4.3 | 0.26 | 0.3-0.5 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.15 | ||
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 28 | 1.4 | 0.6-1.6 | 0.27 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Burbot | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.15 | 0.1-0.3 | 0.37 | 0.7-2.1 |
Gill net results from Namakan Lake
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Namakan Lake
“Namakan Lake is a class 2 lake located on the Minnesota-Ontario border within Voyageurs National Park (VNP).”
“The total surface area is 24,066 acres, of which 49% or 11,755 acres lie within Minnesota.”
“Namakan Lake is typical of lakes within the Canadian Shield with soft, oligotrophic water and intermediate productivity.”
“The mean depth is 45 feet, with a maximum-recorded depth of 150 feet.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Namakan Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Namakan Lake by boat
Unmapped LakeFinder accesses on Namakan Lake: public (other).
Landings around Namakan Lake on the map
- Ash River (S) AccessAsh River, 8 miles southwest
- Kabetogama Lake (E) Ash River Visitor Center AccessKabetogama, 9 miles west
- Johnson Lake Access near OrrJohnson, 10 miles south
- Franklin Lake AccessFranklin, 11 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Namakan Lake
The clarity record for Namakan Lake holds 3 Secchi readings going back to 2007.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Species the DNR has recorded in Namakan Lake
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Namakan Lake list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Namakan Lake
For the species listed here, Namakan Lake follows its own regulations instead of statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and Sauger | Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. |
Canada-Minnesota border regulations at Namakan Lake
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | All Canada-Minnesota border waters except exceptions below | 6 combined total (only 1 over 20" in possession) | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Lake of the Woods and tributaries from mouth to upstream boundaries listed on p. 67 | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Four Mile Bay (southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – April 14 each year |
| Walleye and sauger | Four Mile Bay (southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Namakan, Sand Point and Little Vermilion lakes | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released; only 1 walleye over 26") | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy Lake | 8 (not more than 4 can be walleye; walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released; only 1 walleye over 26") | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy River (mouth to the dam at International Falls and all tributaries from the mouth to the upstream boundaries liste | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – April 14 each year |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy River (mouth to the dam at International Falls and tributaries) | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Saganaga Lake | 3 (only 1 walleye over 20") | May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Northern pike | All Canada-Minnesota border waters except exceptions below | 3 (only 1 over 30" in possession) | 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 (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike 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 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 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 |
The pike and bass rows shown are the Northeast Zone rows, the zone Namakan Lake falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Namakan Lake next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Namakan Lake | 24,066 | 150 | 0 | 7.95 | |
| Tooth Lake | 4 miles south | 59 | 43 | 0 | |
| Net Lake, St. Louis County | 4 miles south | 70 | 18 | 0 | |
| O'Leary Lake, St. Louis County | 6 miles southeast | 202 | 52 | 0 | 3.33 |
| Spring Lake near Orr, St. Louis County | 6 miles south | 219 | 60 | 0 | |
| Little Johnson Lake | 6 miles south | 566 | 28 | 0 | 11.11 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Namakan Lake, up close
Lakes worth a look near Namakan Lake
- Tooth Lake4 miles south
- Net Lake, St. Louis County4 miles south
- O'Leary Lake, St. Louis County6 miles southeast
- Spring Lake near Orr, St. Louis County6 miles south
- Little Johnson Lake6 miles south
Tackle stops on the way to Namakan Lake
- Handberg's Marinemarine supply store, Crane Lake, 15 miles
- Cold Springs Incfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Orr, 17 miles
- Kab Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Kabetogama, 18 miles
- Voyageur Tacklebait and tackle shop, St. Louis, 20 miles
Overnight bases for Namakan Lake
- Orr29 miles
- Nett Lake31 miles
- Ranier34 miles
Counties surrounding Namakan Lake
- St. Louis Countyseat: Duluth
Piscifun reels to pack for Namakan Lake
_is_a_houseboat_site_with_a_rock_landing_and_1_fire_ring._(a659036a-d82b-222f-b278-39d5cf35ce1b).jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Reader questions on Namakan Lake
How far is Namakan Lake from a city?
It lies in St. Louis County, managed from the International Falls fisheries office, about 29 miles from Orr.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Namakan Lake?
24,066 acres, 150 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Namakan Lake?
See the nearby accesses listed above; LakeFinder shows 1 access.
Does Namakan Lake have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth bass and cisco.
How recent is the Namakan Lake survey?
Most recently on September 22, 2025 (standard survey). walleye ran 7.95 per gill net.
Does Namakan Lake have special regulations?
Walleye and Sauger: Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
Is a trout stamp needed on Namakan Lake?
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.
What is the water clarity of Namakan Lake?
Average Secchi clarity is 10.7 feet.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Namakan Lake?
Handberg's Marine is nearest at 15 miles.
Head for Namakan Lake
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.