Walleye lake, Northern pike lake, Bass lake, Crappie lake, Sunfish lake

Lake Traverse

Public accessStocked 2025

Lake Traverse is a 10,849-acre lake in Traverse County, 12 feet at its deepest. The DNR last surveyed its fish in 2025. Recorded species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie.

Details

DNR lake ID
78002500
County
Traverse
Surface area
10,849 acres
Maximum depth
12 feet
Mean depth
9 feet
Shallow water (littoral) area
10,849 acres, 100% of the lake
Shoreline
78.6 miles
Average water clarity
4.3 feet (Secchi disk, 27 readings)
Border water
Shared with South Dakota
Latest DNR fish survey
September 2025, targeted survey
Surveys on record
38, since 1980
Game fish caught in the 2025 survey
bluegill 1,373, white bass 295, walleye 176, yellow perch 159, crappie 66, sunfish 61, channel catfish 43, northern pike 35
Fish species recorded
black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, green sunfish, hybrid crappie, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, orangespotted sunfish, rock bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye, white bass, white crappie, yellow perch, and 27 other species
Stocked in 2025
walleye fry (6,000,000)
Stocked in 2023
walleye fry (6,500,000)
Stocked in 2021
walleye fry (6,000,000)
Stocking years on record
4 of the last 10 (2017 to 2025)
Traverse Lake, #1 Public Water Access Site
trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 6 trailer spaces, run by Traverse County
Traverse Lake, #4, Brown Valley Public Water Access Site
trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 14 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Traverse Lake, #3 Public Water Access Site
trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 5 trailer spaces, toilet, run by Traverse County
Traverse Lake, #2, Fish Camp Public Water Access Site
trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 8 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Fish consumption
Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested
Size
2,000 acres or more
Deepest point
Under 15 feet
Public access
Yes
Stocked in the last 3 years
Yes

Sources

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.