Ruth

Cass County

Near East Gull Lake

DOW: 11021100

PumpkinseedGood · 60WalleyeGood · 58Black CrappieGood · 54

A 94-acre lake near East Gull Lake in Cass County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1991.

Fish Species (7)

Pumpkinseed

Good · 60

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per trap net · typical 2.8–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1991	2.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1991	9.00	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 58

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.60 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1991	1.00	-	3.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.32 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per trap net · typical 0.8–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1991	2.00	-	0.45 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1991	2.25	-	0.32 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 35.8 per trap net · typical 8.3–50.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1991	2.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1991	35.75	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 40

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.42 lbs

Catch rate: 4.5 per gill net · typical 4.8–12.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1991	4.50	-	1.42 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1991	1.25	-	1.54 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Poor · 23

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1991	0.75	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1991	1.00	-	0.95 lbs	Standard gill 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.

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per trap net · typical 2.1–10.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1991	72.00	-	0.56 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1991	6.00	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best pumpkinseed 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

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 24, 1991Additional Field Notes: A pair of loons were observed during the survey.Present Fish Population Status: Northern pike abundance (4.5/gillnet) was aver…

Additional Field Notes: A pair of loons were observed during the survey.Present Fish Population Status: Northern pike abundance (4.5/gillnet) was average for the lake class, as was the average size (1.42 lb). Median length was 16" (range = 13-24"). Ages II and III each comprised 42% of the sample and showed good growth.Bluegill abundance (35.75/trapnet) was also average. Average size (.10 lb) was small with median length of 4.5" (range = 3.0-8.0"). About 9% of the measured bluegills were at least 7.0 inches long.Largemouth bass was also taken in average numbers (0.75/trapnet). Too few were caught to provide additional information.Black crappie abundance was also average at 2.25/trapnet. Four age classes were sampled and growth bordered on slow. Crappies averged 0.32 lb, average for the lake class.Walleye (1.0/gillnet) was caught in average numbers for the lake class but abundance was below expectations for a fishable population. Yellow perch were not sampled in 1991 but were caught in good numbers in 1960.Yellow bullhead (6.0/trapnet) was caught in average numbers in trapnets but in high numbers (72.0 gillnet) in the gillnets. Median length was 10.0" and some 12" fish were taken in gillnets. Average size was 0.50 lb in trapnets and (0.56 lb in gillnets), again, average for the lake class.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Ruth?

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

Is there public access at Ruth?

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

How deep is Ruth?

Ruth has a maximum depth of 42 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Ruth last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ruth is from 1991. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Ruth have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Ruth?

No — Ruth 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.