Traverse Lake Fishing
Traverse County, 10,849 acres, 12 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Big Stone Lake: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0
Key facts on Traverse Lake
Traverse Lake covers 10,849 acres of Traverse County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 12 feet, with an average of 9 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 10,848 acres, roughly 100% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Browns Valley, about 8 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Ortonville oversee it. Fishing rules follow the South Dakota-Minnesota border water tables.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 4 public water accesses sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on September 16, 2019. The DNR counted 42.83 walleye per gill net, above its normal range of 3.2-15.3. Across 31 ice-out records the median date is April 8.
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Catch per net set from the standard survey dated September 16, 2019, 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 | 257 | 42.83 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.04 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 31 | 1.82 | 0.3-1.7 | 1.37 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 16 | 2.67 | 1.2-7.8 | 2.76 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.12 | 5.64 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 113 | 18.83 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.6 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.06 | 0.3-2.6 | 0.87 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 81 | 13.5 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.26 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.24 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.11 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 4 | 0.67 | 0.54 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 68 | 4 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.5 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.06 | 0.1-0.8 | 1.6 | 0.4-1.5 |
| Largemouth bass | Special seining | 2 | 0.33 |
Fish per species in the Traverse Lake gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Traverse Lake
“Traverse Lake is located in western Minnesota just north of Browns Valley along the Minnesota-South Dakota border.”
“It is 16 miles long, almost two miles across at its widest location, 11,528 acres, and it has a maximum depth of 12 feet.”
“Anglers should study the lake's contour map before boating because shallow reef areas exist, especially near the islands and in the northwest portion of the lake.”
“The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks cooperatively manage the fishery and border waters fishing regulations apply.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Traverse Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Traverse Lake
- Traverse Lake, #2, Fish Camp Access2 ramps, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Traverse Lake, #1 Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, Traverse County
- Traverse Lake, #3 Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Traverse County
- Traverse Lake, #4, Brown Valley Access1 ramp, 14 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Boat launches serving Traverse Lake
- Mustinka River Access near WheatonMustinka River, 9 miles northeast
- Big Stone Lake, Hornsteins AccessBig Stone, 12 miles south
- Barry Lake AccessBarry, 12 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Traverse Lake gets
Traverse Lake has 27 clarity readings on file since 2007.
Ice has left Traverse Lake as early as March 15, 2024 and as late as May 7, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Traverse Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Traverse At Reservation Dam Near Wheaton, Mn | 76.68 ft gage height | Oct 19 8:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 19, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District (CWMS), reading for Oct 16, 2026. Retrieved Oct 19, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Not updated since Oct 16, 2026.
USACE St. Paul District series Reservation Dam at Lake Traverse Reservoir, Reservation Dam (Lake Traverse project); datum OTHER. Reading on file 976.65 ft on 2026-10-19.
This Traverse Lake series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Traverse Lake surveys
LakeFinder builds the Traverse Lake list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Traverse Lake
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Traverse Lake.
Shared South Dakota-Minnesota rules for Traverse Lake
| 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 |
Pike and bass rows follow the North-central Zone, where the map puts Traverse Lake; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Traverse Lake
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse Lake | 10,849 | 12 | 4 | 42.83 | |
| Barry Lake | 11 miles southeast | 398 | 8.8 | 1 | 0.25 |
| Mud Lake, Traverse County | 12 miles northeast | 2,449 | 6.5 | 1 | 8.75 |
| East Toqua Lake | 17 miles southeast | 437 | 9 | 2 | 22 |
| Lannon Lake | 18 miles southeast | 197 | 4 | 0 | 60 |
| Big Stone Lake | 19 miles south | 11,984 | 16 | 8 | 4.67 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Traverse Lake
Neighbor lakes around Traverse Lake
- Barry Lake11 miles southeast
- Mud Lake, Traverse County12 miles northeast
- East Toqua Lake17 miles southeast
- Lannon Lake18 miles southeast
- Big Stone Lake19 miles south
Bait and tackle closest to Traverse Lake
- Ben's Servicebait and tackle shop, Traverse, 8 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Traverse Lake
- Browns Valley8 miles
- Beardsley9 miles
- Barry13 miles
Traverse Lake, county lines
- Traverse Countyseat: Wheaton
Piscifun gear suited to Traverse Lake
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Traverse Lake questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Traverse Lake?
Find it in Traverse County, managed from the Ortonville fisheries office, about 8 miles from Browns Valley.
How deep is Traverse Lake?
Roughly 10,849 acres, 12 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Traverse Lake?
Try Traverse Lake, #2, Fish Camp Access, one of 4 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Traverse Lake?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How does Traverse Lake compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of September 16, 2019. walleye ran 42.83 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Traverse Lake?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Traverse 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 ice-out date for Traverse Lake?
April 8 is the median; it went out March 15, 2024 most recently.
Which bait shop is closest to Traverse Lake?
Ben's Service is about 8 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Traverse Lake
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.