Reels
Abu Garcia Revo SX Baitcasting Reel
A reliable baitcaster for jigs, Texas rigs, and moving baits.
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Lakes & Reservoirs
Spin, Cast & Bait
Pokegama Lake Fishing Guide
Minnesota
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.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Pokegama Lake for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and northern pike. In October, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and northern pike are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Ned Rig and Bass Jig are a good place to start. There are 7 shops within 25 miles; the closest is River Rat Bait in Cohasset, about 9 mi away. Leech Lake is about 40 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Season at a Glance
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Crappie
Walleye
Northern Pike
JFMAMJJASOND
What You'll Catch
Pokegama Lake Species
Largemouth Bass
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct
Smallmouth Bass
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to Oct
Crappie
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Feb to May, Oct to Nov
Walleye
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov
Northern Pike
Prime NowJ
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct
Images: USFWS; Duane Raver, USFWS; Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
15 picks for October. marks species in season in October.
Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureSpinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz
LureMoving Bait · Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureSoft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureNed Rig 2.5 to 3 in
LureFinesse · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureBass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz
LureJig · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureBladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.
Shop This LureSquarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureLipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Walleye
Shop This LureTube Jig 3 to 4 in
LureSoft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureCasting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz
LureSpoon · Northern Pike
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Crappie
Shop This LureJig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz
LureJig · Walleye
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Walleye, Crappie, Largemouth Bass
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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.
Smallmouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Crappie
Fly 8.5 ft 4 wt rod, floating line, small jig flies and minnow patterns.
Spin / Cast 10 to 12 ft jigging pole or 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 4 to 6 lb hi-vis line.
Walleye
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Pokegama Lake
Crankbaits
Rapala Shad Rap
A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.
Check PricePanfish Lures
Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jigs
A go-to crappie plastic on a light jighead, under a float or vertical.
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Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness
Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.
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St. Croix Musky Casting Rod
A heavy, long casting rod for big bucktails, jerkbaits, and figure-eights.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
Check PriceHard Baits
Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait
A suspending jerkbait that shines in cold, clear water.
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Within 25 Miles
Shops Near Pokegama Lake
Bait & Tackle
The Great Outdoors Bottle Shop & Bait
Pengilly, Minnesota· 19 mi
16207 Lakeview St 218-208-2117
Within 25 Miles
Guides and Charters Near Pokegama Lake
Guide
Royal Guide Service
Grand Rapids, Minnesota· 3 mi
34487 County Road 467 218-259-8992
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Wired2fish
Grand Rapids, Minnesota· 4 mi
29 Co Rd 63 218-301-9035
Per their website: Ice Fishing
Guide
Wheezy Outdoors LLC
Grand Rapids, Minnesota· 4 mi
411 NW 16th St 218-402-0086
Per their website: Full-Day Trips
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 40 mi
Leech Lake
One of Minnesota's largest lakes, with walleye and big muskies.
Walleye · Muskellunge · Yellow Perch
Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 64 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
Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 65 mi
Lake Bemidji
A 6,596-acre lake at Bemidji with a state park on its shore, where DNR surveys catch walleye, perch, northern pike, and muskellunge.
Walleye · Yellow Perch · Northern Pike
Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 66 mi
Mille Lacs Lake
Classic Minnesota walleye lake with a big ice fishing community and trophy smallmouth.
Walleye · Smallmouth Bass · Muskellunge
Lakes & Reservoirs · Minnesota · About 72 mi
Lake Vermilion
A rocky Northwoods lake with about 340 miles of shoreline and 365 islands.
Walleye · Muskellunge · Smallmouth Bass
Rivers & Streams · Minnesota
St. Louis River Estuary
The river mouth and bays between Duluth and Superior, about 10,000 acres where DNR surveys find walleye, northern pike, perch, crappie, and smallmouth.
Walleye · Northern Pike · Yellow Perch