Mitchell Lake

Mitchell Lake near 46.7784, -94.0474 is a lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Mitchell Lake covers about 426 acres, reaches a recorded 78 feet and holds about 13,009 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Mitchell Lake Affect Fishing

Mitchell Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Baits at Mitchell Lake

Fish reported from Mitchell Lake include banded killifish, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brown bullhead, burbot, central mudminnow, cisco, common shiner, creek chub, fathead minnow, golden shiner, greater redhorse, green sunfish, hornyhead chub, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, logperch, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, northern pike, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, smallmouth bass, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Mitchell Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Mitchell Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Mitchell Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Mitchell Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Mitchell Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at Mitchell Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.

Rock Bass

At Mitchell Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.

Cisco and Burbot

For other cold-water fish at Mitchell Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling, and fish a glow jig or natural bait close to bottom after dark for burbot.

How the Seasons Change Mitchell Lake

Spring at Mitchell Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer fishing is usually better in cooler, deeper water. Fall at Mitchell Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Mitchell Lake

On a first trip to Mitchell Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Useful Tackle for Mitchell Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Mitchell Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.

Mitchell Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 426-acre Mitchell Lake?

At Mitchell Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 78-foot deep end of Mitchell Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Mitchell Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 13,009 acre-foot storage figure mean at Mitchell Lake?

At Mitchell Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.