Midge Lake
About Midge Lake
Midge Lake is a 546-acre lake near Bemidji in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It reaches 24 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 44 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Midge Lake
- 546 acres, up to 24 feet deep, near Bemidji
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 15 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 546 acres
- Max depth
- 24 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 15 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 496 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 11
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 17
- Years of record
- 44
- Earliest
- March 17, 2024
- Latest
- May 6, 2022
- Most recent
- April 22, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Midge Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Grace Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Bemidji860 acres
1.9 miles away
Little Wolf Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Cass Lake525 acres
2.4 miles away
Wolf Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Bemidji1,076 acres
2.5 miles away
Andrusia Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Cass Lake1,596 acres
5.6 miles away
Swenson Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Bemidji412 acres
5.8 miles away
Hart Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Guthrie226 acres
7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Midge Lake?
Midge Lake is in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Bemidji. It covers 546 acres and reaches 24 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Midge Lake?
Midge Lake covers 546 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 24 feet.
What fish can you catch at Midge Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Midge Lake?
Yes. Midge Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Midge Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Midge Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Midge Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Midge Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Midge Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 17, from 44 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 17, 2024 and the latest is May 6, 2022.