Michaud

Cass County

Near Shovel Lake

DOW: 11003800

Northern PikeGood · 68Rock BassGood · 68PumpkinseedGood · 67

A 62-acre lake near Shovel Lake in Cass County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1989.

Fish Species (10)

Northern Pike

Good · 68

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.10 lbs

Catch rate: 4.3 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	4.33	-	3.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 7, 1989	0.25	-	0.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Good · 68

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	0.50	-	0.75 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 67

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	3.00	-	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 58

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 5.8 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	3.33	-	0.24 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 7, 1989	5.75	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 15.0 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	15.00	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 40

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	0.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1989	0.33	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 33

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 7, 1989	1.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill 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 · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.78 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	0.75	-	0.78 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.54 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	1.75	-	0.54 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 36

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 7, 1989	5.67	-	0.41 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 7, 1989	0.25	-	0.20 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).

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 7, 1989Special Problems and Conditions Affecting Fish & Fishing: None noted.Additional Field Notes: Two pair of loons and one osprey noted. One small snappin…

Special Problems and Conditions Affecting Fish & Fishing: None noted.Additional Field Notes: Two pair of loons and one osprey noted. One small snapping turtle was present in the trap nets. Michaud Lake has never been mapped. Survey crew members estimate the littoral area at about 20%.Present Fish Population Status: Black crappie and black bullhead net catches indicate above average population levels. These two species catch rates exceeded the third quartile of the median of lakes in Lake Class 20 with fish being average in size.Northern pike and rock bass net catches show larger than average size fish for these species in Lake Class 20 with average population levels.The yellow perch net catches indicate below average population levels with catch rates below the first quartile of the median for Class 20 lakes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Michaud?

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

Is there public access at Michaud?

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

How deep is Michaud?

Michaud has a maximum depth of 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Michaud last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Michaud is from 1989. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Michaud have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Michaud?

No — Michaud has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide rock bass limit is: 30. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.