Bay

Aitkin County

Near Jacobson

DOW: 01004900

Northern PikeGood · 63PumpkinseedGood · 54Yellow PerchPoor · 22

A 35-acre lake near Jacobson in Aitkin County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1984.

Fish Species (5)

Northern Pike

Good · 63

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.11 lbs

Catch rate: 11.0 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1984	11.00	-	2.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 54

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 10.4 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1984	10.40	-	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 22

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1984	1.60	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 1984	0.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 52

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 10.4 per trap net · typical 2.2–16.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1984	10.40	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 1984	0.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.35 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–9.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1984	2.00	-	0.35 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 25, 1984The northern pike, yellow bullhead and pumpkinseed populations are all well above state and local medians for abundance. The northern pike average app…

The northern pike, yellow bullhead and pumpkinseed populations are all well above state and local medians for abundance. The northern pike average approximately 2 pounds apiece, the bullheads and pumpkinseeds are all small. Growth rates on northern pike are good, for pumpkinseed the growth rate is very slow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Bay?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch in Bay. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Bay?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Bay. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Bay?

Bay has a maximum depth of 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Bay last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bay is from 1984. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Bay have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Bay?

No — Bay has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.