St. Louis County, Minnesota

Iron Lake

Best fishing times today, in local lake time.

Today

Good day

Next major bite

4:25–6:25 PM CT

Major bite (moon overhead): 3:54–5:54 AM
Minor bite (moonset): 1:02–2:02 PM
Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:25–6:25 PM
Minor bite (moonrise): 8:53–9:53 PM

Sunrise: 7:50 AM
Sunset: 5:51 PM
Moon: Waning gibbous, 74%

Times in Central Time. Updated 10:30 AM CT.

Conditions

Air: 31°F
Wind: 0 mph
Sky: Sunny
Pressure: 30.40 inHgRising (+1.4 hPa in 3 h)

National Weather Service hourly forecast; pressure from station KCDD at 9:53 AM CT.

7-day bite calendar

Day	Major	Major	Minor	Minor	Moon
Today	3:54–5:54 AM	4:25–6:25 PM	1:02–2:02 PM	8:53–9:53 PM	Waning gibbous, 74%
Sat, Oct 31	4:56–6:56 AM	5:25–7:25 PM	1:43–2:43 PM	10:16–11:16 PM	Waning gibbous, 63%
Sun, Nov 1	4:53–6:53 AM	5:20–7:20 PM	1:13–2:13 PM	10:38–11:38 PM	Last quarter, 52%
Mon, Nov 2	5:46–7:46 AM	6:11–8:11 PM	1:36–2:36 PM	—	Waning crescent, 40%
Tue, Nov 3	6:35–8:35 AM	6:58–8:58 PM	11:58 PM–12:58 AM	1:54–2:54 PM	Waning crescent, 30%
Wed, Nov 4	7:20–9:20 AM	7:42–9:42 PM	1:15–2:15 AM	2:10–3:10 PM	Waning crescent, 20%
Thu, Nov 5	8:04–10:04 AM	8:26–10:26 PM	2:29–3:29 AM	2:25–3:25 PM	Waning crescent, 13%

What's biting on Iron Lake in October

Iron Lake covers 1,962 acres and is 64 ft at its deepest. These are the sport fish DNR surveys found here, and what each typically does in October in Minnesota lakes.

WalleyeFall walleye feed heavily on rocky points and breaklines; dusk and after dark are often best.
SaugerFall sauger school in deep water and feed heavily before winter.
Northern pikeFall pike feed heavily along the last green weeds and drop-offs.
CrappieFall crappies school tightly in deeper basins and feed actively.
Yellow perchFall perch school on deep flats and feed heavily.

Iron Lake is a border water shared with Canada, so its seasons and limits follow the DNR's border-water regulations rather than the statewide inland seasons. Check current regulations.

Fish in Iron Lake

Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of Iron Lake in the last 10 years or its latest survey (June 25, 2018).

WalleyeSpawns over gravel and rock in the shallows soon after ice-out, peaking in 42–50°F water; in summer it holds deeper and feeds in the shallows at dawn and dusk.
SaugerShares the walleye's habits but sees even better in dark or murky water, which keeps it in big rivers and stained lakes.
Northern pikeSpawns in flooded, weedy shallows right after ice-out and keeps feeding in cold water, so it bites from spring through ice season.
Black crappieSpawns in May and June in shallow water in the mid-60s °F; schools roam open water and feed most at night, dawn and dusk.
Yellow perchSpawns in early spring, draping egg ribbons over weeds and brush, and bites eagerly on worms all year, including through the ice.
Rock bassNests over gravel near rocks and logs in late spring and stays close to rocky cover all summer.

Also found

Cisco species
Lake whitefish
White sucker

Lake facts

Minnesota part only: Iron Lake is shared with Canada, and the DNR outline covers the Minnesota side.

Area: 1,962 acres1,531 acres in Minnesota; shared with Canada
Max depth: 64 ft
County: St. Louis County
Nearest town: Winton
DNR lake ID: 69012100

Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (retrieved October 30, 2026).