Toad Lake Fishing
Becker County, 1,715 acres, 29 feet deep.
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Toad Lake, the basics
Count on 1,715 acres of water at Toad Lake, a lake in Becker County. The DNR depth record tops out at 29 feet, with an average of 21 feet. Roughly 33% of the water (558 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Wolf Lake sits about 8 miles from the lake point. Management falls to the Detroit Lakes area fisheries office.
DNR sampling has turned up walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The DNR access layer lists 1 public water access. DNR crews completed a standard survey on August 9, 2021. Walleye came in at 10.33 per gill net, above the normal range for similar lakes (3.3-8.8).
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Figures are from the August 9, 2021 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 124 | 10.33 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.99 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.75 | 0.2-0.8 | 4.48 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 79 | 6.58 | 2.8-9.0 | 2.17 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 8 | 0.67 | 3.44 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 15 | 1.25 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 34 | 2.83 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.46 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 12 | 1 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.72 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 22 | 1.83 | 0.22 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 185 | 15.42 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.16 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 8 | 0.67 | 0.3-1.4 | 1.12 | 0.5-1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 13 | 1.08 | 0.3-1.3 | 0.31 | 0.2-0.8 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 12 | 1 | 0.21 |
Gill net results from Toad Lake
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Toad Lake
“Toad (also referred to as Big Toad) Lake is a 1,715-acre lake located in central Becker County, 21 miles east of the city of Detroit Lakes.”
“The shoreline of the lake is moderately developed, primarily along its northern and southwestern shores.”
“The Toad Lake Aquatic Management Area (AMA) protects 115.1 acres of land adjacent to the lake.”
“Toad Lake's robust fishery provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, among other species.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Toad Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Toad Lake by boat
- Toad Lake Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings around Toad Lake on the map
- Sivertson Lake AccessSieverson, 2 miles northwest
- Little Toad AccessLittle Toad, 4 miles southwest
- Pickerel Lake Public Water Access AccessPickerel, 4 miles east
- Bass Lake Access near Wolf LakeBass, 4 miles northeast
- Height of Land Lake (S) AccessHeight of Land, 5 miles west
- Island Lake Access near Wolf LakeIsland, 5 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Toad Lake
The clarity record for Toad Lake holds 4 Secchi readings going back to 2006.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Toad Lake level reading
The DNR lake level record for Toad Lake is a manual gauge series, so the latest entry carries its date rather than a live value.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species the DNR has recorded in Toad Lake
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Toad Lake list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Toad Lake
No special regulation names Toad Lake, so the statewide inland rows apply.
| 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 |
The pike and bass rows shown are the North-central Zone rows, the zone Toad Lake falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Toad Lake next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toad Lake | 1,715 | 29 | 1 | 10.33 | |
| Sieverson Lake | 2 miles northwest | 82 | 35 | 1 | 1.67 |
| South Twin Lake, Becker County | 3 miles west | 150 | 37 | 0 | 0.33 |
| Little Toad Lake | 4 miles southwest | 406 | 65 | 2 | 1 |
| Bass Lake near Wolf Lake, Becker County | 4 miles northeast | 130 | 48 | 1 | 0.17 |
| Pickerel Lake near Wolf Lake, Becker County | 5 miles east | 97 | 32 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Toad Lake, up close
Lakes worth a look near Toad Lake
- Sieverson Lake2 miles northwest
- South Twin Lake, Becker County3 miles west
- Little Toad Lake4 miles southwest
- Bass Lake near Wolf Lake, Becker County4 miles northeast
- Pickerel Lake near Wolf Lake, Becker County5 miles east
Tackle stops on the way to Toad Lake
- Four Cornersfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Detroit Lakes, 10 miles
- Osage Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Osage, 12 miles
- Quality Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Detroit Lakes, 17 miles
- Lakes Sport Shopsporting goods store, Detroit Lakes, 17 miles
- J & K Marinamarina, Detroit Lakes, 17 miles
- Gene's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Perham, 19 miles
Overnight bases for Toad Lake
- Wolf Lake8 miles
- Frazee14 miles
- Detroit Lakes17 miles
Counties surrounding Toad Lake
- Becker Countyseat: Detroit Lakes
Piscifun reels to pack for Toad Lake
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Reader questions on Toad Lake
How far is Toad Lake from a city?
It lies in Becker County, managed from the Detroit Lakes fisheries office, about 8 miles from Wolf Lake.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Toad Lake?
1,715 acres, 29 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Toad Lake?
There are 1 public access; Toad Lake Access is the largest.
Does Toad Lake have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed.
How recent is the Toad Lake survey?
Most recently on August 9, 2021 (standard survey). walleye ran 10.33 per gill net.
Does Toad Lake have special regulations?
Only statewide limits, North-central Zone for pike and bass.
Is a trout stamp needed on Toad Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the water clarity of Toad Lake?
Average Secchi clarity is 4.6 feet.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Toad Lake?
Four Corners is nearest at 10 miles.
Head for Toad Lake
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.