Lake Pepin offers the potential for some of the most productive fishing along the Minnesota stretch of the Mississippi River. This fishing resource is shared with Wisconsin, and you can catch a variety of freshwater species. Fishing on Lake Pepin can result in a fine catch of table-quality fish.
Description
At more than 25,000 acres and 60 feet deep, Lake Pepin is a vast artificial impoundment, one of several that can be found along the length of the Mississippi River. Located near Lake City, Minnesota, the lake is accessible at several points along U.S. Highways 63 and 61, and a number of boat launch facilities dot the shoreline. Lake Pepin is one of the most popular fisheries in southern Minnesota, according to Minnesota Fishing Online.
Species
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources identified 28 freshwater species when the lake was surveyed in 2008. Among the fish that may be of the greatest interest to anglers are walleye and sauger. There also are healthy populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie and white bass. Catfish, freshwater drum and redhorse suckers are also plentiful in the lake.
Tactics
Lake Pepin has rocky shorelines that can be productive fishing spots. Drop-offs also can hold fish. Most game fish usually can be found in less than 15 feet of water, though walleye and sauger sometimes move deeper. Jigging, trolling and casting crankbaits can all take walleye. Live bait is the simplest and most effective way to catch the lake's sunfish, crappie and white bass, though small jigs also will take the panfish. You can catch bass on jigs, plastic worms, jerkbaits and topwaters. Fish around vegetation where available.
Regulations & Seasons
Since Lake Pepin is on the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, it is under special border-water regulations. Fishing for walleye, sauger, largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, perch, crappie, sunfish and catfish is open year-round. Limits apply to the number of fish that anglers can catch and keep per day: six walleye of 15 inches or greater; four bass of 14 inches or greater; and five northern pike of any size. You also can keep 25 perch, 25 crappie, 25 sunfish and 10 catfish, with no length restrictions. The 2010 season for muskellunge fishing in Lake Pepin is from May 29 to March 1, 2011. The daily limit is one muskellunge of 40 inches or greater.
Licenses
You must have a current Minnesota fishing license to fish in Lake Pepin. You can purchase a license at most bait and tackle shops in the state, and at a variety of other retailers. An online ordering system also is in place on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website.
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