Little Bass

Beltrami County

Near Lavinia (Beltrami)

DOW: 04011000

Northern PikeExcellent · 81WalleyeGood · 69Rock BassGood · 67

A 363-acre lake near Lavinia (Beltrami) in Beltrami County — best known for pike and walleye. Last surveyed 1990.

Fish Species (9)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 81

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.29 lbs

Catch rate: 21.3 per gill net · typical 3.6–11 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	21.25	-	2.29 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1990	1.62	-	2.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Stocked 2024

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

5.00 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 1–3.2 for a lake like this

Stocked with fingerlings irregularly · 4,600 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	1.00	-	5.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1990	0.12	-	2.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2024	fingerlings	2,500	113.6	Private citizens and sporting groups
2019	fingerlings	2,100	100.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Rock Bass

Good · 67

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.87 lbs

Catch rate: 0.38 per trap net · typical 0.3–1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	0.75	-	0.97 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1990	0.38	-	0.87 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 59

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 18.0 per gill net · typical 3.8–22.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	1.50	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 15, 1990	18.00	-	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.24 lbs

Catch rate: 4.8 per gill net · typical 1–10.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	4.75	-	0.24 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1990	1.38	-	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 53

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per trap net · typical 1.5–6.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	11.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1990	5.25	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 51

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 24.1 per trap net · typical 4–28.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	19.00	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1990	24.12	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.69 lbs

Catch rate: 4.3 per gill net · typical 0.3–0.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	4.25	-	1.69 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 15, 1990	2.12	-	1.19 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

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

Brown Bullhead

Average · 49

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.93 lbs

Catch rate: 0.38 per trap net · typical 0.5–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 15, 1990	0.38	-	0.93 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 15, 1990	0.25	-	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

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").

Rock Bass

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

August 15, 1990THE LAKE HAS NOT BEEN SURVEYED FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS. HOWEVER, NORTHERN PIKE HAVE EXHIBITED A HIGH RECRUITMENT OVER THE YEARS AND NOW HAVE DOMI…

THE LAKE HAS NOT BEEN SURVEYED FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS. HOWEVER, NORTHERN PIKE HAVE EXHIBITED A HIGH RECRUITMENT OVER THE YEARS AND NOW HAVE DOMI NATED THE POPULATION. THE OTHER SPECIES, YEP, BLC , BLG, ARE TYPICAL OF THIS LAKE CLASSIFICATION AND ARE PRESENT IN NUMBERS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS OBSERV ED DURING THE LAST SURVEY. THE WALLEYE FOUND PRES ENT IN THE LAKE WERE MOST LIKELY INTRODUCED BY LOC AL RESIDENTS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Little Bass?

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

Is there public access at Little Bass?

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

How deep is Little Bass?

Little Bass has a maximum depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Little Bass last surveyed?

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

Does Little Bass have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Little Bass?

No — Little Bass has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.