Stuart Lake

Stuart Lake near 46.2762, -95.5815 is a lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Stuart Lake covers about 740 acres and reaches a recorded 49 feet.

How the Size and Shape of Stuart Lake Affect Fishing

Stuart 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 Stuart Lake

Fish reported from Stuart Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brown bullhead, cisco, common carp, fathead minnow, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, mimic shiner, northern pike, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, rock bass, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Stuart Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Stuart 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 Stuart Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

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

Bullheads and Carp

For bottom fishing at Stuart 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.

Other Reported Fish

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

Rock Bass

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

Cisco

For other cold-water fish at Stuart Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.

How the Seasons Change Stuart Lake

Spring at Stuart 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 at Stuart Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Stuart Lake

On a first trip to Stuart 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 Stuart Lake

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

Stuart Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 740-acre Stuart Lake?

At Stuart 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 49-foot deep end of Stuart Lake?

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

Which reported fish is a simple first target at Stuart Lake?

Banded killifish is on the fish list for Stuart Lake, so start with a bait made for that fish instead of guessing at a species that may not be there.