Gear & Tackle

Lakes & Reservoirs

Spin, Cast & Bait

Lake Bemidji Fishing Guide

Minnesota

A 6,596-acre lake at Bemidji with a state park on its shore, where DNR surveys catch walleye, perch, northern pike, and muskellunge.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lake Bemidji for largemouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge. In October, largemouth bass, yellow perch, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 8 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Gander Outdoors of Bemidji in Bemidji, about 2 mi away. Leech Lake is about 32 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Largemouth Bass
Yellow Perch
Walleye
Northern Pike
Muskellunge
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What You'll Catch

Lake Bemidji Species

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct

Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch

Prime Now
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M
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Best: Jan to Mar, Jun to Oct

Walleye

Walleye

Prime Now
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M
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct

Muskellunge

Muskellunge

Prime Now
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Best: Jun to Nov

Images: USFWS; Duane Raver, USFWS; Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

14 picks for October. marks species in season in October.

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Walleye · Big glide or jerkbaits in fall.

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  • Spinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass

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  • Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Largemouth Bass

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  • Bass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Largemouth Bass

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  • Bladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.

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  • Squarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Lipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Walleye

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  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Northern Pike

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  • Crappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Yellow Perch

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  • Jig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Walleye

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  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Walleye, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass

  • Nightcrawlers Whole or half

    Bait

    Live Bait · Yellow Perch

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Largemouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.

Yellow Perch

Spin / Cast 6 ft ultralight spinning rod or ice rod, 4 lb line, perch spreader or small jig.

Walleye

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Northern Pike

Fly 9 ft 8 or 9 wt rod, floating or intermediate line, wire or 40 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy casting rod, 30 to 50 lb braid, steel or titanium leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lake Bemidji

Reels

Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel

A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.

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Rigs

Mack's Lure Wedding Ring Spinner

Small spinners tipped with corn or maggots for kokanee and perch.

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Crankbaits

Rapala Shad Rap

A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.

Check Price

Rods

St. Croix Musky Casting Rod

A heavy, long casting rod for big bucktails, jerkbaits, and figure-eights.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Hard Baits

Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait

A suspending jerkbait that shines in cold, clear water.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Within 25 Miles

Shops Near Lake Bemidji

Within 25 Miles

Guides and Charters Near Lake Bemidji

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 32 mi

Leech Lake

One of Minnesota's largest lakes, with walleye and big muskies.

Walleye · Muskellunge · Yellow Perch

Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 65 mi

Pokegama Lake

A 6,721-acre lake at Grand Rapids, over 100 feet deep in places, where the DNR's last full survey found northern pike, walleye, bass, and crappie.

Northern Pike · Walleye · Smallmouth Bass

Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 76 mi

Gull Lake

A 10,010-acre lake north of Brainerd, up to 80 feet deep, where DNR surveys find walleye, both bass, northern pike, and crappie.

Walleye · Largemouth Bass · Smallmouth Bass