Steamboat

Aitkin County

Near McGregor

DOW: 01007102

Northern PikeGood · 56Yellow PerchGood · 50WalleyeGood · 50

A 60-acre lake near McGregor in Aitkin County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1990.

Fish Species (9)

Northern Pike

Good · 56

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.41 lbs

Catch rate: 3.3 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	3.33	-	2.41 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 8, 1990	1.00	-	1.44 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	1.43	-	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.29 per trap net · typical 0.3–0.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	0.29	-	3.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 33

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 0.43 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	0.43	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 23

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.14 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	0.14	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Poor · 15

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.29 per trap net · typical 1.1–10.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	0.29	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (3)

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

Brown Bullhead

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.43 lbs

Catch rate: 17.4 per trap net · typical 0.5–10 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	5.33	-	0.44 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 8, 1990	17.43	-	0.43 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Good · 67

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 15.0 per trap net · typical 0.9–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	26.00	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 8, 1990	15.00	-	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Poor · 19

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.33 lbs

Catch rate: 0.43 per trap net · typical 1.8–9.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1990	0.43	-	0.33 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Special regulations on this lake

DNR special regulations override the statewide limits.

Sunfish
Including connected waters: Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage, Davis Lake including bay known as Steamboat Lake, Flowage Lake, Sandy River Lake, Prairie River from confluence with Tamarack River downstream to confluence with Big Sandy Lake, Sandy River from State Highway 210 downstream to confluence with the Mississippi River, and West Savanna River from County Highway 14 downstream to confluence with the Prairie River.
Possession limit five.
Walleye
Including connected waters: Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage, Davis Lake including bay known as Steamboat Lake, Flowage Lake, Sandy River Lake, Prairie River from confluence with Tamarack River downstream to confluence with Big Sandy Lake, Sandy River from State Highway 210 downstream to confluence with the Mississippi River, and West Savanna River from County Highway 14 downstream to confluence with the Prairie River.
All less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.

Statewide limits

Statewide limits — apply unless a special regulation above overrides them.

Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

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).

Crappie

10 combined total

Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.

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

August 8, 1990The gill net index for northern pike was below the lake class 36 first quartile. The trap net indices for yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and…

The gill net index for northern pike was below the lake class 36 first quartile. The trap net indices for yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and black crappie were below the lake class 36 first quartiles. The trap net index for brb was above the lake class 36 third quartile. Northern pike sampled (16 of 16 aged) ranged from two to six years of age with strong year classes indicated for 1986 and 1987. Growth rates for the first through the forth increments were normal. The growth rates for the fifth and sixth increments were slower than normal. Yep sampled (7 of 7 aged) ranged from two to five years of age with a strong year class represented in 1988. No fish were sampled from the 1987 year class. Growth rates appear to be erratic from year to year with the overall growth rate being normal. Walleye sampled (2 of 2 aged) were four and thirteen years of age.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Steamboat?

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

Is there public access at Steamboat?

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

How deep is Steamboat?

Steamboat has a maximum depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Steamboat last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Steamboat is from 1990. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Steamboat have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Steamboat?

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 2 special rules for Steamboat, covering sunfish and walleye. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.