Lake May
Cass County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be fairly active with peak fishing times around 7-8 AM and 3-5 PM. SEE MORE
Visit Leech Lake
Leech Lake is known for offering the best Walleye fishing and Muskie fishing in the Midwest. With 195 miles of shoreline and 112,835 acres to explore, both professional fishermen and family fishing trips alike are sure to enjoy a successful day of fishing on Leech Lake.
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Lake May.Frequently Asked Questions About Lake May, MN
- How big is Lake May?
- How deep is Lake May?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Lake May?
- What are the closest cities to Lake May?
- Are there places to stay in the Lake May area?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Lake May?
- What is the average air temp for Lake May?
- Are there any state parks near Lake May?
How big is Lake May?
How deep is Lake May?
What kind of fish can you catch in Lake May?
Other fish species in the lake include Cisco (Tullibee), Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Lake May?
Are there places to stay in the Lake May area?
More Lodging Options
Lake May area businesses:
Are there places to eat and drink near Lake May?
Explore the Lake May area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
2025 Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf - Family Friendly & Adventure Ready!
Bemidji, MN
History & Status of the Fishery
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in May Lake was conducted on July 25-27, 2022 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Nearshore sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations, and a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations due to difficult site conditions including abundant lilies out to deep water along the shoreline. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including abundant numbers of seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and no species that are classified as tolerant of disturbance.
A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill and Rock Bass comprised a majority of the trap net catch by biomass, with Bluegill most abundant by number. The number of Bluegill sampled per net was just below the 50% quartile for similar Lake Class 31 lakes and the average length was 5.0 inches, with 14% over 7 inches.
The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2020 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Common Carp and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Data from this survey indicates May Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
What is the average air temp for Lake May?
Are there any state parks near Lake May?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Lake May...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Long Lake | 1.2 mi | 279 | 80 ft |
| Third Lake | 2.2 mi | 33 | 34 ft |
| Fourth Lake | 2.3 mi | 58 | 65 ft |
| Fifth Lake | 2.8 mi | 52 | 60 ft |
| Cedar Lake | 3.2 mi | 36 | 15 ft |
| Ten Lake | 3.7 mi | 26 | 29 ft |
| Anway Lake | 3.7 mi | 21 | 45 ft |
| Gould Lake | 3.9 mi | 99 | |
| Recreation Lake | 4.1 mi | 10 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 4.1 mi | 12 |
