Glen Schmitt

At more than 1,100 acres, Sullivan Lake is one of the bigger bodies of water you’ll find in Morrison County. It has a direct connection with Platte Lake, via the Platte River, which means fish move between the systems, ultimately providing a diverse and solid fish community.

Located just north of Longville, and in the shadow of famous Leech Lake to its west, Boy Lake often gets overlooked by anglers. But it’s not because this 3,465-acre lake isn’t an exceptional fishery. In fact, you could make the argument that Boy is one of the best multi-species lakes in this area.

Cross Lake in southern Pine County is a long, skinny fishery that was formed by damming the Snake River. So this lake, and the fish community within it, largely are influenced by that waterway.
This also means you’ll find a wide variety of fish species to target within its 925 acres. While Cross Lake is most noted for its panfish and muskies, most riverine species thrive here, along with walleyes, bass, northern pike, channel catfish, and even lake sturgeon. It’s one of those lakes that you just never know what’s on the end of your line.

To say Lake Jeanette is off the beaten path would be an understatement. This 612-acre lake is located along the Echo Trail, a remote country road that winds through the western edge of Superior National Forest in northeastern St. Louis County.
Getting to Lake Jeanette means a scenic drive in a remote setting. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by granite rock outcroppings and a heavily wooded mix of pine and spruce. This glacier-carved lake provides a Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness feel.

Given its inclusion in the state’s Sentinel Lakes Program – an intensive, long-term ecosystem-monitoring project – there are a lot of people keeping a close eye on Lincoln County’s Lake Shaokotan. The Minnesota DNR, along with other agencies and groups, is monitoring the lake’s physical, chemical, and biological changes.
Beyond the management of the lake’s fish community, Shaokotan is sampled intensely for changes in water quality, aquatic plants, zooplankton, and other health indicators. Over the years, there have been many changes in this 996-acre lake, none more notable than its water quality.

As a wide spot in the Cannon River, Byllesby obviously holds its share of riverine fish species. But, despite significant numbers of rough fish, the lake also supports healthy populations of crappies and bass, along with some migrant walleyes from upstream on the Cannon.

Tucked away in northern Minnesota’s Chippewa National Forest, Spider Lake offers excellent multi-species fishing opportunities in a pristine setting. If you want to just wet a line and catch a fish, Spider is a safe bet.
Residential development is limited on this 1,390-acre lake southeast of Marcell, and the lake is managed primarily for northern pike, walleyes, and muskies.