Gull Lake · Pelican Lake · Whitefish Chain Fishing Reports

Lake	Size	Depth (Max/Avg)	Clarity	Bottom	Primary Species	Reg Note
Gull Lake	9,947 ac	108 ft / 39 ft	10–14 ft	Sand, gravel, rock	Walleye, Muskie, Bass, Crappie, Perch	Chain regulations apply
Pelican Lake	5,920 ac	64 ft / 22 ft	7–10 ft	Sand, gravel, weed flats	Walleye, Perch, Pike, Crappie	Walleye slot limit
Whitefish Lake	4,157 ac	52 ft / 18 ft	7–11 ft	Sand, gravel, dense weeds	Crappie, Walleye, Bass, Pike	Chain limit 5 crappie/day
North Long Lake	2,200 ac	58 ft / 21 ft	9–13 ft	Sand, gravel, rock humps	Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Bass	Standard MN DNR regs
Round Lake	1,580 ac	40 ft / 14 ft	6–9 ft	Muck, sand, heavy weeds	Bluegill, Crappie, Bass, Pike	Standard MN DNR regs
Edwards Lake	~1,200 ac	48 ft / 17 ft	6–10 ft	Sand, gravel, scattered rock	Perch, Crappie, Walleye, Bass	Standard MN DNR regs

The largest lake in the Brainerd Lakes area and one of the most well-known fisheries in Minnesota. Gull Lake is a reservoir connected to the Whitefish Chain via the Gull River, which causes it to shed ice earlier than comparable natural lakes. The lake has multiple distinct basins — a deeper main basin with rocky points and sunken structure on the east arm, and shallower, weedier bays on the west side that warm first in spring. A wide variety of habitat types supports a diverse, year-round fishery.

Lake Profile

Depth	108 ft max · 39 ft average
Water Clarity	10–14 ft Secchi disk — good clarity
Bottom Type	Sand and gravel main basin; rocky points on east arm; muck and sand in shallow bays; extensive cabbage weed beds
Status	Open Water

Species & Typical Sizes

Species	Typical Size
Walleye	14–22 in typical; 26+ in trophy class present
Muskie	36–50+ in; designated trophy water
Largemouth Bass	12–17 in typical
Smallmouth Bass	12–16 in typical
Crappie	9–12 in typical
Bluegill	7–9 in typical
Perch	8–11 in typical

Fall Pattern · Oct 18–24

Gull is in full fall pattern at 55–58°F. As one of the deepest lakes in the area (108 ft), Gull holds its pattern longer than shallow lakes and turns over later, so expect stable fishing until temps approach 50°F. Panfish have moved to 25–35 ft, schooled over structure along the edge of the deep main basin. Look for sunken humps and steep breaks that drop into the deepest water, and mark the school on sonar before you drop. Walleye are deep by day on the east-arm rocky points and sunken islands, then slide shallow after dark.

Walleye: Deep breaks and sunken islands off the east-arm rocky points, 18–30 ft by day; shallow rock and sand points (4–10 ft) after dark.
Panfish: Crappies schooled 25–35 ft over sunken structure on the edge of the deep main basin.
Muskie & Pike: Fall big-fish window. Suckers on quick-strike rigs near the last green cabbage beside deep water.
Bass: Smallmouth grouped on deep east-arm rock, 15–25 ft. Blade baits, hair jigs, tubes.
Structure note: Deepest lake in the area, so it turns over later and the pattern stays stable longer.

Access Points

Eagle View Boat Launch — County Rd 77, Nisswa (paved ramp, large parking lot)
Gull Lake Recreation Area — County Rd 18, Brainerd (DNR ramp, fee area)
North Arm Landing — Crosslake side (paved ramp, limited parking)

Regulations Note

Gull Lake Chain combined walleye limit applies. Muskie special regulations — check MN DNR for current slot and size limits.

One of the premier walleye and perch lakes in the Brainerd Lakes region. Pelican Lake is known for producing large yellow perch — one of the few area lakes with a consistently above-average perch fishery. The lake has extensive shallow flats on the north and east shores that support strong panfish populations, while the main basin offers classic walleye structure with a mix of sand, gravel, and rock. A busy lake in summer but fishes well in shoulder seasons.

Lake Profile

Depth	64 ft max · 22 ft average
Water Clarity	7–10 ft Secchi disk — moderate clarity
Bottom Type	Sand and gravel main basin; weedy mud flats in shallow north and east bays
Status	Open Water

Species & Typical Sizes

Species	Typical Size
Walleye	15–22 in typical; slot limit in effect — verify with MN DNR
Yellow Perch	9–12 in typical; known for above-average size
Northern Pike	24–36 in typical; 40+ in present
Crappie	8–11 in typical
Bluegill	6–8 in typical

Fall Pattern · Oct 18–24

Pelican's clear water makes this a low-light and after-dark walleye lake in October. By day, walleye hold on the deeper north-end breaklines in 20–30 ft. After dark they move up onto shallow sand and gravel flats in 5–12 ft to feed. Crappies and Pelican's big perch have moved to 25–35 ft near the deepest part of the main basin, often on mud-to-hard-bottom transitions. Pike are on the last green cabbage on the north and east flats.

Walleye: Clear water means a low-light bite. 20–30 ft north-end breaklines by day; shallow sand and gravel flats (5–12 ft) after dark.
Panfish & Perch: Crappies and big perch at 25–35 ft near the deepest basin, on mud-to-hard transitions.
Pike: Last green cabbage on the north and east flats. Big suckers and spoons.
Bass: Largemouth on remaining weeds; smallmouth on deeper rock.
Structure note: Clear water: light line and long casts. Night is the best walleye window.

Access Points

Pelican Lake Public Access — County Rd 11, Breezy Point (DNR paved ramp, parking)
Breezy Point Marina — private launch available in season

Regulations Note

Walleye slot limit applies — verify current size and bag limits with MN DNR before keeping fish.

Whitefish Lake is part of the 14-lake Whitefish Chain — a connected system stretching through Crow Wing County. It is widely regarded as the top crappie destination in the Brainerd Lakes area and draws significant fishing pressure during spring and fall. The lake has extensive cabbage and coontail weed beds in 4–12 feet that provide ideal panfish and bass habitat. The main basin offers deeper walleye structure. Chain regulations apply to walleye and crappie across all connected lakes.

Lake Profile

Depth	52 ft max · 18 ft average
Water Clarity	7–11 ft Secchi disk — moderate to good clarity
Bottom Type	Sand and gravel main basin; dense cabbage and coontail weed beds in 4–12 ft; muck in shallow bays
Status	Open Water

Species & Typical Sizes

Species	Typical Size
Crappie	9–13 in typical; some of the best crappie size in central MN
Walleye	14–21 in typical
Largemouth Bass	12–17 in typical
Northern Pike	24–38 in typical
Bluegill	6–8 in typical

Fall Pattern · Oct 18–24

The Whitefish Chain is one of the best crappie fisheries in the region, and in October those crappies have moved to 25–35 ft, stacked near the deepest holes and the steep breaks that drop into them. Mark the school on sonar and fish straight down. Walleye are on the breaks off the big cabbage and coontail flats in 14–24 ft by day. The channels and neckdowns between the chain lakes concentrate fish as they move toward their wintering basins, and they're worth checking at dusk.

Crappie: 25–35 ft, stacked near the deepest holes and the steep breaks into them. 5/day Chain limit.
Walleye: Breaks off the cabbage and coontail flats, 14–24 ft. Check the channels and neckdowns between lakes at dusk.
Pike & Muskie: Remaining green coontail edges next to deep water.
Bass: Largemouth on the last green weeds; smallmouth on rock.
Structure note: Neckdowns between the chain lakes funnel fish moving to wintering basins.

Access Points

Crosslake Public Access — County Rd 3, Crosslake (DNR concrete ramp, parking)
Multiple DNR ramps along the Whitefish Chain — see MN DNR lake finder for all access points

Regulations Note

Whitefish Chain combined crappie limit: 5 per day across all connected chain lakes. Chain walleye regulations also apply.

North Long Lake offers a solid mix of species with notably lower fishing pressure than the marquee lakes nearby. The lake has good structure — several mid-lake humps, rocky points, and defined weed lines — that hold walleye and bass throughout the season. Clear water makes for good sight conditions along weed edges in summer. A quality choice for anglers looking for productive fishing without heavy boat traffic. The lake is not part of a chain, so standard MN DNR regulations apply without chain-specific modifications.

Lake Profile

Depth	58 ft max · 21 ft average
Water Clarity	9–13 ft Secchi disk — good to very good clarity
Bottom Type	Sand and gravel main basin; scattered rock piles and mid-lake humps; sandy weed transitions on east shore
Status	Open Water

Species & Typical Sizes

Species	Typical Size
Walleye	14–20 in typical
Yellow Perch	8–11 in typical
Crappie	8–11 in typical
Bluegill	6–8 in typical
Northern Pike	22–34 in typical

Fall Pattern · Oct 18–24

North Long's mid-lake humps and rock piles make it a classic October walleye lake. By day, walleye hold on the sides of the humps where they drop into deep water, in 18–28 ft. At dusk and after dark, they move up onto the hump tops and rock piles in 8–14 ft. Crappies and perch are schooled at 25–35 ft in the basin, around the humps that fall off into the deepest water. Light pressure all week.

Walleye: Sides of the mid-lake humps, 18–28 ft by day; hump tops and rock piles (8–14 ft) at dusk and after dark.
Panfish & Perch: 25–35 ft in the basin around humps that drop into the deepest water. 5/day crappie limit.
Bass: Smallmouth on the rock piles, 15–25 ft. Blade baits and tubes.
Pike: Weed edges and points. Big spoons or suckers.
Structure note: Hump-and-rock-pile lake. Fish the sides by day and the tops after dark.

Access Points

North Long Lake Public Access — County Rd 12 (DNR paved ramp, ample parking)
Carry-in access off Tame Fish Lake Rd (limited, shore fishing only)

Regulations Note

Standard MN DNR regulations. No chain or special size limits in effect — confirm current bag limits with MN DNR.

Round Lake is a shallower, warmwater lake known for its excellent bluegill and sunfish fishery. Dense emergent vegetation and a muck/sand bottom create ideal panfish habitat — the lake consistently produces above-average bluegill size for the area. Bass habitat is strong along weed edges throughout the summer. Walleye are present but the lake fishes primarily as a panfish and bass destination. Lighter fishing pressure than the larger nearby lakes. A good option for shore fishing and family outings.

Lake Profile

Depth	40 ft max · 14 ft average
Water Clarity	6–9 ft Secchi disk — moderate clarity
Bottom Type	Muck and sand flats throughout; dense emergent vegetation (bulrush, lily pads) along shoreline; some gravel on points
Status	Open Water

Species & Typical Sizes

Species	Typical Size
Bluegill	7–9 in typical; above-average size for the area
Crappie	8–11 in typical
Largemouth Bass	12–16 in typical
Northern Pike	20–32 in typical
Walleye	14–18 in typical; lower density

Fall Pattern · Oct 18–24

Round is a shallow, weedy lake (40 ft max, 14 ft average), so it's one of the first in the area to turn over. If your sonar shows fish scattered through the water column and the water looks murky with floating debris, give it a few days or move to a deeper lake. With only one real deep area, the panfish are easy to find. Crappies and bluegills are stacked at 25–35 ft right around the deepest hole. Walleye hold on the basin edges in 15–25 ft by day and move to the shallow weed edges at dusk.

Panfish: Crappies and bluegills stacked at 25–35 ft right around the single deepest hole.
Walleye: Basin edges, 15–25 ft by day; shallow weed edges at dusk.
Pike: Remaining green weeds, 8–15 ft. The best pike option on this lake.
Shore: Deep panfish are boat-only now; shore anglers can target pike and bass on green weeds at dusk.
Structure note: Shallow and weedy, so it turns over early. If fish look scattered, give it a few days.

Access Points

Round Lake Public Access — County Rd 48 (DNR paved ramp, parking lot)

Regulations Note

Standard MN DNR regulations. Confirm current walleye and bass limits with MN DNR.

Edwards Lake is a smaller, lower-pressure lake adjacent to Round Lake near Brainerd. It receives significantly less fishing pressure than the larger area lakes, making it a good option for anglers who prefer a quieter experience. The lake has a reasonable mix of structure — sand, gravel, and scattered rock — and holds a solid perch and panfish population year-round. Walleye are present and provide a quality fishery without the competition found on the larger lakes. Typically one of the first lakes in the area to be fishable from shore in early spring.

Lake Profile

Depth	48 ft max · 17 ft average
Water Clarity	6–10 ft Secchi disk — moderate clarity
Bottom Type	Sand, gravel, and scattered rock main basin; muck in shallow bays; moderate weed growth on north shore
Status	Open Water

Species & Typical Sizes

Species	Typical Size
Yellow Perch	8–11 in typical
Crappie	8–11 in typical
Bluegill	6–8 in typical
Walleye	14–19 in typical
Northern Pike	20–32 in typical

Fall Pattern · Oct 18–24

Edwards has sand, gravel, and scattered rock, and it fishes like a smaller version of the hump lakes in October. Walleye hold on the scattered rock in 12–24 ft by day, then push up onto shallow rock and sand at dusk. Crappies and perch have moved toward the deepest basin, 25–35 ft, and the perch often sit on the transitions where hard bottom meets soft. Minimal boat traffic.

Walleye: Scattered rock, 12–24 ft by day; shallow rock and sand at dusk.
Panfish & Perch: 25–35 ft toward the deepest basin; perch on the hard-to-soft bottom transitions.
Pike: Weed edges. Big spoons or suckers.
Bass: Smallmouth on deeper rock. Blade baits and hair jigs.
Structure note: Low pressure, and the rock structure holds walleye all fall.

Access Points

Edwards Lake Public Access — County Rd 48 (DNR gravel ramp, limited parking)

Regulations Note

Standard MN DNR regulations. Confirm current bag and size limits with MN DNR.

The Brainerd Lakes
Fishing Report

All Lakes Overview

Rivers — Fall Migration

Side-by-Side Comparison

MN DNR Regulations