Hennepin County, Minnesota

Medicine Lake

Best fishing times today, in local lake time.

Today

Good day

Next major bite

4:31–6:31 PM CT

Major bite (moon overhead): 4:00–6:00 AM
Minor bite (moonset): 12:51–1:51 PM
Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:31–6:31 PM
Minor bite (moonrise): 9:16–10:16 PM

Sunrise: 7:49 AM
Sunset: 6:04 PM
Moon: Waning gibbous, 74%

Times in Central Time. Updated 7:57 AM CT.

Conditions

Air: 39°F
Wind: 5 mph E
Sky: Mostly Sunny
Pressure: 30.34 inHgSteady (+0.7 hPa in 3 h)

National Weather Service hourly forecast; pressure from station KMIC at 7:35 AM CT.

7-day bite calendar

Day	Major	Major	Minor	Minor	Moon
Today	4:00–6:00 AM	4:31–6:31 PM	12:51–1:51 PM	9:16–10:16 PM	Waning gibbous, 74%
Sat, Oct 31	5:02–7:02 AM	5:31–7:31 PM	1:35–2:35 PM	10:35–11:35 PM	Waning gibbous, 63%
Sun, Nov 1	4:59–6:59 AM	5:26–7:26 PM	1:08–2:08 PM	10:54–11:54 PM	Last quarter, 52%
Mon, Nov 2	5:52–7:52 AM	6:17–8:17 PM	1:34–2:34 PM	—	Waning crescent, 40%
Tue, Nov 3	6:41–8:41 AM	7:04–9:04 PM	12:10–1:10 AM	1:56–2:56 PM	Waning crescent, 30%
Wed, Nov 4	7:26–9:26 AM	7:48–9:48 PM	1:24–2:24 AM	2:15–3:15 PM	Waning crescent, 20%
Thu, Nov 5	8:10–10:10 AM	8:32–10:32 PM	2:35–3:35 AM	2:33–3:33 PM	Waning crescent, 13%

What's biting on Medicine Lake in October

Medicine Lake covers 924 acres and is 49 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.
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.

The DNR lists special fishing regulations for Medicine Lake; check them on its LakeFinder page before you go.

Season notes: Minnesota statewide inland seasons from the DNR's 2026–27 fishing regulations. Check current regulations.

Fish in Medicine Lake

Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of Medicine Lake in the last 10 years or its latest survey (July 5, 2023).

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
Bowfin (dogfish)
Brown bullhead
Common carp
Green sunfish
Hybrid sunfish
White sucker
Yellow bullhead

Lake facts

Shoreline from Minnesota DNR survey maps, simplified.

Area: 924 acres
Max depth: 49 ft
County: Hennepin County
Nearest town: Plymouth
DNR lake ID: 27010400

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