My husband’s favorite thing to do with or without the kids is fishing. He has helped me to put together this guide for you even if you have never gone fishing before. He offers some tips for beginners and some great lakes to try. He shares the best fishing lakes in twin cities.
10 Best Fishing Holes in the Twin Cities
If you have a well-loved hole you want to share, please let us know.
Chris's 3 Favorite Local Fishing Holes in the Northern Metro
According to Chris, these lakes are fun to fish because they have many different types of fish and easily accessible boat launches. Fishing from shore is allowed at these lakes, too. In fact, kids may have a better time staying on the dock because of where fish like to hide. See below for tips.
1. Lake Johanna
Tony Schmidt Regional Park, 3500 Lake Johanna Blvd, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Why We Love It: Lake Johana clinches the number one spot. It is close to our house and we can catch a lot of fish in one morning or afternoon. Lake Johanna is where I caught my muskie. I, Gianna, who doesn’t like to fish, caught a muskie. Some people wait their whole lives to catch a muskie. Every fisherperson I know is very proud of the fact that I caught a muskie including Chris.
Fish species: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Hybrid Muskie, Bullhead species, Yellow Perch. Learn more at MN DNR.
Boat launch: Access to this lake is in Tony Schmidt Park along County Road E-2.
2. Snail Lake
4191 Snail Lake Blvd, Shoreview, MN 55126
Why We Love It: This is a fun lake to fish on when your wife is expecting a baby any moment.
Fish species: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Bullhead species. Learn more at MN DNR.
Boat launch: Access to this lake is located on the south shore of the lake in Snail Lake Regional Park. Turn off Hodson Road (MN. 49) onto Snail Lake Road. Follow Snail Lake Road to Snail Lake Blvd., then turn left around the lake to the park.
2. Centerville Lake
Within the City of Centerville & Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve, Lino Lakes, MN 55014
Why We Love It: Centerville lake is a a local favorite that’s worth the drive north.
Fish species: Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Bullhead species, Yellow Perch. Learn more at MN DNR.
Boat launch: The boat launch is located within the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve operated by Anoka County. There is a $5/vehicle fee to enter the park, but not to use the boat launch.
Recommended Fishing Holes in the South Metro
In 2015 Nicki from Minnemama Adventures had a guest post about going fishing with your kids. Here are a couple of the suggestions that were made. If you need more information about these lakes or other suggestions, check out Nicki’s article:
4. Crystal Lake
11 Crystal Lake Rd E, Burnsville, MN 55306
5. Schulze Lake
Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123
(courtesy of Minnemama Adventures)
Community Recommendations:
- The city of Eagan also recommends several fishing spots here.
- Reader Tip: Reader Wendell tells us that Farquhar Lake in Apple Valley has good size largemouth Bass and Walleye.
Fishing the East Metro
I found these fishing holes on the DNR website, which is full of great advice for new and experienced fishers. I chose these sites for amenities that parents would want. In particular, these fishing holes boast bathrooms and nearby playgrounds.
6. Tanners Lake
400 Glenbrook Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Fish Species: Blue Gills, Catfish, and Largemouth Bass
7. Colby Lake
9715 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125
Fish Species: Blue Gills and Catfish.
Family-Friendly Amenities: Colby Lake Park boasts an accessible playground, picnic areas with nearby restrooms and portable toilets, and various sports fields and courts.
Community Recommendations:
- Joy likes Central Park in Roseville for beginners and shares a picture below of her six year old’s first experience when she caught (and released) tons of Sunnies.
Fishing Holes in the West (ish) Metro
Once again, I chose these fishing holes from the DNR website because they offer nearby bathrooms and playgrounds.
8. Wirth Lake
3130 Glenwood Ave, Golden Valley, MN 55422
Fish Species: Blue Gills and Largemouth Bass.
Family-Friendly Amenities: Theodore Wirth Regional Park is packed full of family fun, including the Eloise Butler Flower Garden, a beach and playgrounds.
9. Bryant Lake
Bryant Lake Regional Park Access Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Fish Species: Blue Gills and Crappie.
Family-Friendly Amenities: Bryant Lake and Park is managed by Three Rivers Park District which does phenomenal work maintaining their parks and natural habitats. Reader Cody tells us that he takes visitors to this site because he can guarantee the crappie will bite.
Places to Fish in the Greater Metro and Beyond
10. State Parks. This actually counts as #10-16, because Anne lists 6 metro-area State Parks here. Joy reminds us that most State Parks offer free fishing (no license required for Minnesota residents). They will even loan you the gear. This is a great option for newbies who aren’t ready to commit.
New to fishing? Information & Tips for Beginners:
As part of their Fishing in the Neighborhood (“FiN”) program, the DNR has designated some fishing ponds to be “Kids Ponds”. These fishing spots offer great shore fishing for beginners and are located in family-friendly settings, such as parks. Get a “getting started” guide with all 60+ locations here.
Minnesota Fishing SeasonS
While we think of Mother’s Day Weekend as the Fishing Opener, there are fishing seasons throughout the year in Minnesota. Find the complete list here.
Stay Legal
- Life Jackets–anyone under the age of 10 MUST wear a life jacket in a boat that is traveling across the water. The DNR suggests that any time a child is near water they are wearing a life jacket, but it’s not illegal to be in a boat tied to the dock without a life jacket.
- Fishing License–Anyone under 16 can fish without a license. However, if your kids want to do more than catch and release, collecting their own stockpile of fish, you need to purchase a family license. Get more information here or simply go to Gander Mountain or Fleet Farm where they can explain everything a little more clearly.
- Try It: Each June, Minnesota celebrates Take A Kid Fishing Weekend. Anyone can fish for free and without a license if they bring a kid along.
Beginner's Tips
- Fishing poles — for under age 5, you can find little kiddy poles at Fleet Farm, for ages 5-10 look for junior-sized pole about 4 feet long.
- Best time to fish — It is best to fish in the morning. There is less recreational traffic. Some lakes, like Lake Johanna, have wake restrictions before 7:00 a.m. Evening is the next best time, but there is less likely to be wake restrictions at this time.
- Where to look for fish –“Fish like to hang out in the shaded areas in lakes.” You will most likely (but he won’t guarantee it) find good luck at the edge of lily pads, near trees in the water or on the shore and under docks.
Thank you for letting us know about fishing in the Centerville Lake . Waiting for the next article …
I’m glad it was helpful, Rejoan. While fishing is not our focus, we do try to cover fishing opportunities in our Parks Listings.
I have caught some good size largemouth Bass and Walleye on Farquhar Lake in Apple Valley
Thank you for the tip Wendell! It’s always nice to hear from those who have fished a lake. Do you think it is a kid-friendly fishing hole?
Thank you for making this article…This is literally exactly what I was looking for. This will be my first time fishing in the twin cities and I Googled, “best fishing spots in the twin cities, and this post popped up..AND it’s only from a month or so ago so the info is up to date… Perfect timing..Thanks for the help!
We are so happy that you find this useful, Askia! Let us know how your first fishing trip goes.
Thank you for the great article! I will be taking my grandson who recently fell in love with fishing to each and every one of them. We are fishing buddies forever!
What wonderful memories, Vicki! To this day, I think of my grandpa every time I fish. I’m so glad you have the opportunity to spend this time with your grandson!
I’ve caught a bunch of crappie down at Bryant Lake. Whenever I have visitors in town that’s where I take them fishing coz you are guaranteed a bite down there!
That is great to know, Cody. It is always good to start kids out in a lake where successes are more likely.