Primer

Cass County

Near Longville

DOW: 11025900

Yellow PerchGood · 60Northern PikeGood · 55PumpkinseedAverage · 39

A 43-acre lake near Longville in Cass County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1980.

Fish Species (5)

Yellow Perch

Good · 60

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per gill net · typical 1.5–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 1980	0.12	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 1980	1.67	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 55

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.97 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 1980	6.00	-	1.97 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 1980	0.88	-	1.49 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 39

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 1980	0.33	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 1980	1.75	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 1980	0.33	-	0.20 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.

Golden Shiner

Excellent · 79

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 3.7 per gill net · typical 0.5–3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 1980	3.67	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 1980	33.38	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best yellow perch 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).

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").

Biologist Notes

July 14, 1980Good northern pike population. Poor perch, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Exellent population of golden shiners.Management recommendations are to re-estab…

Good northern pike population. Poor perch, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Exellent population of golden shiners.Management recommendations are to re-establish crappie population. Stock adult crappies at a rate of 2 lbs. per littoral acre. Northern pike reproduction adequate at present.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Primer?

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

Is there public access at Primer?

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

How deep is Primer?

Primer has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Primer last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Primer is from 1980. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Primer have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Primer?

No — Primer has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.