Bad Medicine

Bad Medicine is a four mile long, narrow, 800-acre, 84 foot deep, clear water lake located in northeastern Becker County and within the White Earth Indian Reservation. The lake has steep, primarily rocky, slopes near shore. Although the lake lies within the Mississippi River drainage, it has no outlet and is primarily groundwater fed. Historical water clarity records from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency indicate the average water clarity is 25 feet at Bad Medicine Lake. A state-owned public access is located on the north shore off MN 113. Approximately 16,000 Rainbow Trout are stocked annually and Walleye fingerlings are stocked biennially in even years. A standard survey was done on Bad Medicine Lake in mid-July 2022 to assess the fish community. Walleyes sampled during the 2022 survey ranged from 8.0 to 24.5 inches, with an average size 15.5 inches. Walleye gill net catch rates were above average for this lake and also higher than lakes of similar biological conditions. Fish over 15 inches represented 51% of the fish sampled. There is some natural reproduction of Walleye, but stronger year classes are presented in years of fingerling stockings. Northern Pike abundance remains low in Bad Medicine Lake. The average length of Northern Pike sampled during the 2022 survey was 22.6 inches, while Northern Pike up to 35.5 inches were sampled. Gill nets sampled 31 Rainbow Trout during the 2022 survey, which was close to the lake's historical average. Lengths ranged from 11.7 to 15.5 inches, with an average length of 13.3 inches. Smallmouth Bass remain abundant in Bad Medicine Lake, as the 2022 assessment documented the highest catch rate (3.7 per gill net) on record for this species. Average length of Smallmouth Bass sampled was 14.1 inches and fish up to 19.1 inches were sampled. Rock Bass also are abundant, with an average length of 7.8 inches. Yellow Perch numbers continue to be low with their average length being 6.8 inches. Bluegill catches remain very low in surveys as Bad Medicine Lake lacks spawning habitat for Bluegill. Other species sampled in this assessment include Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco) and White Sucker. Although sampled in low numbers in previous surveys, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were not found in 2022 survey.

A Targeted Survey was completed on Bad Medicine Lake on July 8-10, 2019 to assess the near-shore fish community. The data from this survey will be analyzed in conjunction with the Standard Survey that was completed in 2017 to evaluate the biological condition of Bad Medicine Lake, and contribute to the assessment of the watershed. Fourteen sites within Bad Medicine Lake were sampled during this survey, using a backpack electrofishing unit and seines. The fish community sampled during this assessment was not diverse. Catches were dominated by young White Suckers and Smallmouth Bass. Two young Burbot were sampled. Other species sampled included Johnny Darter, Spottail Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Northern Pike, and Rock Bass.

A Targeted Survey was completed on Bad Medicine Lake on July 19th and 20th, 2017 to assess the near-shore fish population. This data will be analyzed in conjunction with the standard survey completed in 2017 to provide a complete assessment of the fish community that will be used to assess the biological condition of Bad Medicine Lake, and contribute to the assessment of the watershed. Shoreline seining and backpack-electrofishing were used to sample fish species at fourteen sights around Bad Medicine Lake. Species sampled with these gear types are not commonly sampled by gill nets and trap nets, which are used during standard assessments. A good mix of species that require different habitat conditions were sampled in during this survey. Species sampled that are intolerant of poor habitat conditions include Banded Killifish, Burbot, Mimic Shiner, Mottled Sculpin, and Rock Bass. Other species sampled during this survey included Bluntnose Minnow, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Spottail Shiner, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. The results of this survey suggest that Bad Medicine has a healthy fish community, and the lake is not impaired by biological standards. Preservation of aquatic habitat and the use of best management practices for any future development may help maintain the natural habitat that is currently present in Bad Medicine Lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie in Bad Medicine. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Bad Medicine. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Bad Medicine has a maximum depth of 84 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bad Medicine is from 2022.

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