Walters

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31029800

Yellow PerchExcellent · 82Northern PikeGood · 66BluegillGood · 51

A 127-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1982.

Fish Species (6)

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 82

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 55.3 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	2.75	-	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1982	55.33	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 66

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.98 lbs

Catch rate: 16.3 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	16.33	-	1.98 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1982	0.25	-	0.90 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 51

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 4.9–49.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	0.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1982	0.33	-	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	1.33	-	0.33 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1982	2.50	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Black Bullhead

Average · 43

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 3.3 per trap net · typical 1.1–25.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	51.67	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1982	3.25	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.85 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 1–3.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	0.67	-	1.85 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best yellow perch lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

August 26, 1982Walters Lake has high populations of bullheads, northern pike and perch. Bluegills are below averages and pumpkinseed is about average. Bullheads are…

Walters Lake has high populations of bullheads, northern pike and perch. Bluegills are below averages and pumpkinseed is about average. Bullheads are not marketable size yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Walters?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed in Walters. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Walters?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Walters. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Walters?

Walters has a maximum depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Walters last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Walters is from 1982. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Walters have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Walters in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Walters?

No — Walters has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.