Upper Mission Lake

Upper Mission Lake is a lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Upper Mission Lake covers about 875 acres, reaches a recorded 36 feet and holds about 14,221 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Upper Mission Lake Affect Fishing

Upper Mission 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 Upper Mission Lake

Fish reported from Upper Mission Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, cisco, common shiner, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sand shiner, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

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

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

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

Northern Pike

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

Bullheads

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

Other Reported Fish

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

Rock Bass

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

Cisco

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

How the Seasons Change Upper Mission Lake

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

A Simple Plan for Fishing Upper Mission Lake

On a first trip to Upper Mission, 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 Upper Mission Lake

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

Upper Mission Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 875-acre Upper Mission Lake?

At Upper Mission, 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 36-foot deep end of Upper Mission Lake?

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

What does the 14,221 acre-foot storage figure mean at Upper Mission Lake?

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