Walleye in Minnesota

Map showing Walleye population hotspots and biggest lakes and sum catch in lakes. Click different buttons to view different Walleye catch info.

Lake of the Woods

• 305,489 acres

• Sum Catch: 36,514

• Hot Spot: 99% Confidence

Walleye in Lake of the Woods can grow to be quite large, with many anglers catching fish over 25 inches long and weighing 6 pounds or more. The largest walleye ever caught on Lake of the Woods weighed in at 17 pounds, 8 ounces, which is tied for the state record in Minnesota.

Rainy Lake

• 44,591 acres

• Sum Catch: 17,035

• Hot Spot: 90% Confidence

The best time to fish for walleye in Rainy Lake is during the summer months, when the water temperature is warmer. Anglers typically target walleye in the deeper areas of the lake using a variety of techniques, including trolling with crankbaits, jigging with live bait, and casting with artificial lures.

Kabetogama Lake

• 24,034 acres

• Sum Catch: 26,800

• Hot Spot: 95% Confidence

Walleye is the most sought-after fish species in Kabetogama Lake, with good populations found throughout the lake. The lake is known for producing walleye that are larger than average, with many fish weighing between 2-5 pounds, and some over 10 pounds.

Upper/Lower Red Lake

• 283,813 acres

• Sum Catch: 30,663

• Hot Spot: 99% Confidence

Red Lake is one of the largest lakes in Minnesota and is located in the northern part of the state. It is known for its excellent walleye fishing, which has been the mainstay of the lake's economy and culture for generations.

Vermilion Lake

• 39,272 acres

• Sum Catch: 18,415

• Hot Spot: 90% Confidence

Lake Vermilion is located in northeastern Minnesota and is one of the most popular walleye fishing destinations in the state. The lake covers over 40,000 acres and has a maximum depth of 76 feet.

Winnibigoshish Lake

• 56,471 acres

• Sum Catch: 29

• Cold Spot: 90% Confidence

Lake Winnibigoshish, often referred to as "Lake Winnie", is located in northern Minnesota. The lake covers over 58,000 acres and has a maximum depth of 70 feet.

Windigo/Cass Lake

• 15,958 acres

• Sum Catch: 11,097

• Hot Spot: 90% Confidence

Walleye is the most popular game fish in Cass Lake, and the lake is home to a large and healthy population of walleye. Anglers can catch walleye throughout the lake, including along rocky shorelines, weed beds, and deep water drop-offs.

Leech Lake

• 110.311 acres

• Sum Catch: 27,228

• Hot Spot: 95% Confidence

The best time to fish for walleye in Leech Lake is typically during the spring and fall months, when the water temperature is cooler. Anglers often use a variety of techniques to catch walleye, including jigging with live bait, trolling with crankbaits or spinner rigs, and casting with artificial lures.

Mille Lacs Lake

• 128,226 acres

• Sum Catch: 38,265

• Hot Spot: 99% Confidence

The lake is tied for the record of the largest walleye caught in the state of Minnesota, which weighed in at a whopping 17 pounds, 8 ounces. This large size is due in part to the lake's abundant forage base, which provides plenty of food for the walleye to grow.

Pepin Lake

• 12,299 acres

• Sum Catch: 14,396

• Hot Spot: 90% Confidence

Lake Pepin is actually part of the Mississippi River and is located on the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The lake is named after Jean Pepin, a French explorer who traveled through the area in the late 17th century.

Project Overview

To start this project, I had to gather data, including geographic boundaries, point locations, and thematic data, that I wanted to visualize on the map. This step was crucial to ensure that I had all the necessary information to create an accurate and informative map. I used various online sources to obtain the data, such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website and the Minnesota Geospatial Commons.

 Once I had all the data, I brought it into ArcGIS Pro to begin working with it. The first step was to clip the walleye catch by specific lakes, which helped me visualize the total walleye catch for each lake. I then dissolved the walleye information by lakes to make it easier to understand the relationship between the walleye catch and the lake boundaries. Creating a spatial join to merge the points with the polygons was essential in achieving accurate results and making sure that the data was displayed correctly.

I had a problem with Red Lake due to the lake being split into an Upper and Lower Red Lake. They are technically different lakes but have a connection between them. To make the map more accurate and easier to read, I joined two lakes together by editing the boundary. This step helped me avoid overlapping data and created a better representation of the data. The next step was conducting a hotspot analysis by walleye catch, which helped me identify areas where the walleye catch was particularly high. This information was essential in helping me target fishing efforts.

After creating the map, I shared it to ArcGIS Online. I also edited the map on ArcGIS Online to make some changes, such as changing the basemap and adding some labels to make it more readable. The online platform allowed me to customize the map's appearance to fit my needs and preferences, making the map look more professional and visually appealing.

Finally, I used the ArcGIS Online map to create a story map. The story map was an excellent way to present my data in a visually compelling way. I included images and text to give context to the map and help the viewer understand the data better. The story map helped me showcase the data in a more engaging and informative way, making it easier for the viewer to understand the data and its significance.