Roy Lake near 47.3174, -95.5518 is a reservoir in Mahnomen County, Minnesota. Roy Lake covers about 689 acres, reaches a recorded 18 feet and holds about 6,600 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Roy Lake Affect Fishing
Roy Lake has an old channel, incoming water and quiet coves, and small water-level changes can move fish from the bank to the first drop.
Fish and Baits at Roy Lake
Fish reported from Roy Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, common carp, green sunfish, iowa darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Roy 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 Roy 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 Roy Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Roy Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads and Carp
For bottom fishing at Roy Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.
Rock Bass
At Roy Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
How the Seasons Change Roy Lake
Spring around Roy Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall around Roy Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Roy Lake
On a first trip to Roy Lake, check incoming water, one bend in the old channel and a point near deep water with a moving lure, then slow down with a jig or worm where you get a bite.
Useful Tackle for Roy Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Roy Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Roy Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 689-acre Roy Lake?
At Roy 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 18-foot deep end of Roy Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Roy Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 6,600 acre-foot storage figure mean at Roy Lake?
At Roy Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.
Nearby fishing waters
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.