Polk County, Minnesota
Maple Lake
Best fishing times today, in local lake time.
Today
Good day
Next major bite
4:43–6:43 PM CT- Major bite (moon overhead): 4:11–6:11 AM
- Minor bite (moonset): 1:16–2:16 PM
- Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:43–6:43 PM
- Minor bite (moonrise): 9:14–10:14 PM
- Sunrise
- 8:06 AM
- Sunset
- 6:09 PM
- Moon
- Waning gibbous, 74%
Times in Central Time. Updated 7:57 AM CT.
Conditions
- Air
- 30°F
- Wind
- 1 mph ENE
- Sky
- Mostly Cloudy
- Pressure
- 30.31 inHgSteady (+0.7 hPa in 3 h)
National Weather Service hourly forecast; pressure from station KFSE at 6:55 AM CT.
7-day bite calendar
| Day | Rating | Major | Major | Minor | Minor | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 4:11–6:11 AM | 4:43–6:43 PM | 1:16–2:16 PM | 9:14–10:14 PM | Waning gibbous, 74% | |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 5:13–7:13 AM | 5:43–7:43 PM | 1:58–2:58 PM | 10:36–11:36 PM | Waning gibbous, 63% | |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 5:11–7:11 AM | 5:38–7:38 PM | 1:28–2:28 PM | 10:58–11:58 PM | Last quarter, 52% | |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 6:03–8:03 AM | 6:28–8:28 PM | 1:51–2:51 PM | — | Waning crescent, 40% | |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 6:52–8:52 AM | 7:15–9:15 PM | 12:17–1:17 AM | 2:10–3:10 PM | Waning crescent, 30% | |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 7:38–9:38 AM | 8:00–10:00 PM | 1:33–2:33 AM | 2:27–3:27 PM | Waning crescent, 20% | |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 8:22–10:22 AM | 8:43–10:43 PM | 2:47–3:47 AM | 2:43–3:43 PM | Waning crescent, 13% |
What's biting on Maple Lake in October
Maple Lake covers 1,641 acres and is 14 ft at its deepest, so it has no deep, cool water to hold fish in summer. 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.
- Northern pikeFall pike feed heavily along the last green weeds and drop-offs.
- Largemouth bassBass gather near the remaining green weeds and drop-offs and feed before winter.
- CrappieFall crappies school tightly in deeper basins and feed actively.
- BluegillFall bluegill move toward deeper weed edges and feed actively.
- Yellow perchFall perch school on deep flats and feed heavily.
Season notes: Minnesota statewide inland seasons from the DNR's 2026–27 fishing regulations. Check current regulations.
Fish in Maple Lake
Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of Maple Lake in the last 10 years or its latest survey (June 24, 2024).
- 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.
- Northern pikeSpawns in flooded, weedy shallows right after ice-out and keeps feeding in cold water, so it bites from spring through ice season.
- Largemouth bassNests in shallow, firm-bottomed bays in late spring and spends summer in and along the weedbeds.
- 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.
- BluegillNests in colonies in firm-bottomed shallows from late May through much of summer, in 67–80°F water; bigger fish feed in open water.
- PumpkinseedNests in colonies from May well into summer, often beside bluegill, and feeds heavily on snails.
- Yellow perchSpawns in early spring, draping egg ribbons over weeds and brush, and bites eagerly on worms all year, including through the ice.
Also found
- Black bullhead
- Brown bullhead
- Common carp
- Freshwater drum
- White sucker
Lake facts
- Area
- 1,641 acres
- Max depth
- 14 ft
- County
- Polk County
- Nearest town
- Mentor
- DNR lake ID
- 60030500
Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (retrieved October 30, 2026).
Nearby lakes
- White Earth Lake41 mi · Becker County
- Upper Rice Lake44 mi · Clearwater County
- Strawberry Lake46 mi · Becker County
- Many Point Lake50 mi · Becker County
- North Tamarack Lake55 mi · Becker County
- Puposky Lake57 mi · Beltrami County