Platte Lake Fishing
Crow Wing County and Morrison County, 1,663 acres, 23 feet deep.
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The short version on Platte Lake
Platte Lake is a lake of 1,663 acres in Crow Wing County and Morrison County. Depth bottoms out near 23 feet, with an average of 8 feet. 1,616 acres, about 97% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 6 miles reaches Harding, the nearest city. It falls under the Little Falls area fisheries office.
Recent DNR surveys found walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are 1 public water access around the lake. The most recent standard survey dates to July 6, 2020. The walleye catch of 2.25 per gill net was below the DNR normal range of 3.2-15.3. Median ice-out since 1950 is April 9, from 18 records.
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From the standard survey completed July 6, 2020: 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 | 27 | 2.25 | 3.2-15.3 | 3.42 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 175 | 14.58 | 1.2-7.8 | 2.02 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 9 | 0.75 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 49 | 4.08 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.21 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 95 | 7.92 | 0.21 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard electrofishing | 205 | 135.84 | 0.2 | ||
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.25 | 0.3-1.8 | 1.39 | 0.3-1.1 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 128 | 10.67 | 0.19 | ||
| Hybrid sunfish | Standard gill nets | 2 | 0.17 | 0.49 | ||
| Yellow bullhead | Standard gill nets | 50 | 4.17 | 0.3-3.6 | 0.88 | 0.5-0.9 |
| Black bullhead | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.08 | 4.6-83.0 | 0.87 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Brown bullhead | Standard gill nets | 16 | 1.33 | 0.6-7.7 | 1.14 | 0.4-1.1 |
Gill net catch on Platte Lake by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Platte Lake
“Platte Lake was surveyed using 12 gill nets on July 6-10, 2020.”
“Species targeted were Walleye, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch.”
“Additionally, Bluegill were targeted in June using electrofishing rather than trap nets (standard protocol) due to Covid-19 work precautions.”
“The Northern Pike fishery can be described as one that has increased to a population density above desired levels.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Platte Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Platte Lake
- Platte Lake Access1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Public accesses close to Platte Lake
- Rock Lake Access near HardingRock, 1 mile northeast
- Sullivan Lake (E) AccessSullivan, 2 miles south
- Long Lake Access near HardingLong, 2 miles southeast
- Sullivan Lake (W) AccessSullivan, 2 miles southwest
- Erskine Lake AccessErskine, 3 miles northeast
- Round Lake Access near HardingRound, 3 miles west
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Platte Lake
3 clarity readings on Platte Lake date from 2009 onward.
Extremes in the Platte Lake ice-out record: March 12, 2024 early, May 8, 2013 late.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
How high Platte Lake is running
Readings in the DNR record for Platte Lake come from gauge readers, so each one is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish swimming in Platte Lake
Survey catches from the DNR set this Platte Lake species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Platte Lake rules from the DNR booklet
The DNR posts these special limits on Platte Lake.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sunfish | Possession limit 10 combined total for both lakes. | and connected Sullivan Lake |
| 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 Platte Lake 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.
How Platte Lake stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platte Lake | 1,663 | 23 | 1 | 2.25 | |
| Rock Lake near Harding, Crow Wing County | 1 mile northeast | 203 | 22 | 1 | 0.17 |
| Long Lake, Morrison County | 2 miles east | 126 | 35 | 1 | 2.5 |
| Sullivan Lake, Morrison County | 2 miles southwest | 1,103 | 57 | 2 | 2.25 |
| Bulldog Lake | 2 miles east | 149 | 34 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Round Lake near Harding, Morrison County | 2 miles west | 130 | 29 | 1 | 1.33 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Platte Lake
Lakes one stop past Platte Lake
- Rock Lake near Harding, Crow Wing County1 mile northeast
- Long Lake, Morrison County2 miles east
- Sullivan Lake, Morrison County2 miles southwest
- Bulldog Lake2 miles east
- Round Lake near Harding, Morrison County2 miles west
Bait shops an easy drive from Platte Lake
- Terry's Boat Harbormarina, Garrison, 8 miles
- Tutt's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Garrison, 10 miles
- Tutts Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Garrison, 10 miles
- Garrison Sport LLCsporting goods store, Garrison, 10 miles
- Lake-N-River Baitbait and tackle shop, Brainerd, 12 miles
- Phil's Myr Mar Marinamarina, Aitkin, 14 miles
Towns to stay in near Platte Lake
- Harding6 miles
- Vineland7 miles
- Garrison10 miles
Platte Lake and its counties
- Crow Wing Countyseat: Brainerd
- Morrison Countyseat: Little Falls
Reels and a weigh grip for Platte Lake
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Catches common at Platte Lake
Photo: Tommy Andriollo, CC BY 4.0
Photo: George Chernilevsky, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Dezidor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Platte Lake, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Platte Lake in?
Look in Crow Wing County and Morrison County, managed from the Little Falls fisheries office, about 6 miles from Harding.
How does Platte Lake rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 1,663 acres, 23 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Platte Lake?
1 public access; Platte Lake Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in Platte Lake?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed.
What did the last survey of Platte Lake find?
The newest is a standard survey from July 6, 2020. walleye ran 2.25 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Platte Lake?
Sunfish: Possession limit 10 combined total for both lakes.
Which Minnesota license do I need on Platte Lake?
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 Platte Lake?
Ice usually leaves near April 9; most recently March 12, 2024.
Who sells leeches near Platte Lake?
Terry's Boat Harbor, about 8 miles away.
Add Platte Lake to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.