Carlson

Aitkin County

Near Aitkin

DOW: 01016600

Black CrappieExcellent · 88Northern PikePoor · 23BluegillPoor · 23

A 38-acre lake near Aitkin in Aitkin County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1990.

Fish Species (6)

Black Crappie

Excellent · 88

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1990	1.00	-	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 1990	4.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Poor · 23

Below-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.50 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1990	2.00	-	3.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 1990	0.25	-	-	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 23

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 4.3 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1990	4.25	-	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1990	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap 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

Average · 28

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.90 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1990	0.50	-	0.90 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1990	1.00	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best black crappie 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).

Crappie

10 combined total

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, 1990The gill net index for bowfin was above the lake class 20 third quartile (bowfin were not sampled in trap nets). Trap net indices for yellow bullhead…

The gill net index for bowfin was above the lake class 20 third quartile (bowfin were not sampled in trap nets). Trap net indices for yellow bullhead and bluegill were below the lake class 20 first quartiles. Northern pike sampled (2 of 2 aged) were four and seven years of age. Bluegill sampled (17 of 17 aged) ranged from three to six years of age with a strong year class in 1987. The growth rates were normal. Black crappie sampled (17 of 17 aged) ranged from one to seven years of age with strong year classes indicated for 1986 and 1987 with no fish sampled from 1984 or 1985. The growth rates were normal. Yellow perch sampled (1 of 1 aged) was three years of age. Growth rate was normal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Carlson?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Bluegill in Carlson. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Carlson?

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

How deep is Carlson?

Carlson has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Carlson last surveyed?

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

Does Carlson have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Carlson?

No — Carlson has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.