Vadnais Lake

Vadnais Lake is a lake in Ramsey County, Minnesota. Vadnais Lake covers about 393 acres, reaches a recorded 58 feet and holds about 9,806 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Vadnais Lake Affect Fishing

Vadnais 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 Vadnais Lake

Fish reported from Vadnais Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, golden shiner, green sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, white crappie, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Vadnais, 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 Vadnais, 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 and White Bass

For roaming fish at Vadnais, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye, and follow shad with a spoon, jig or small crankbait for white bass.

Northern Pike

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

Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp

For bottom fishing at Vadnais, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and 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 Vadnais include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.

Rock Bass

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

How the Seasons Change Vadnais Lake

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

A Simple Plan for Fishing Vadnais Lake

On a first trip to Vadnais, 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 Vadnais Lake

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

Vadnais Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 393-acre Vadnais Lake?

At Vadnais, 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 58-foot deep end of Vadnais Lake?

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

What does the 9,806 acre-foot storage figure mean at Vadnais Lake?

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