Pleasant
A 1,099-acre lake near Hackensack in Cass County — best known for bass and panfish. Last surveyed 2023.
Fish Species (19)
Typical numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2014
Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 5.0 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Jul 2023 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 0.67 | 14.5" | 1.99 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.18 | - | - |
| Jul 27, 2020 | 2.25 | 13.8" | 1.91 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 1.50 | 6.3" | 0.26 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 9.42 | 6.3" | 0.30 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 59.34 | - | - |
Walleye
Stocked 2025Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 3.3 per gill net · typical 3.3–8.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 3.33 | 17.7" | 2.10 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 0.33 | 17.7" | 2.67 lbs |
| Jul 27, 2020 | 5.17 | 17.6" | 2.11 lbs |
Stocking Details
| Year | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | fry | 411,510 | 3.5 |
| 2023 | fingerlings | 9,044 | 411.1 |
| 2021 | fingerlings | 6,144 | 409.6 |
| 2019 | fingerlings | 8,200 | 410.0 |
| 2017 | fingerlings | 13,528 | 409.9 |
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 0.4–2.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 1.33 | 8.6" | 0.42 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 1.00 | 8.6" | 0.55 lbs |
| Jul 27, 2020 | 1.25 | 8.3" | 0.49 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2014
Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 23.5 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Jul 2023 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 3.25 | 10.2" | 0.68 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 0.50 | 10.2" | 1.25 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 2.64 | - | - |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 21.0 per gill net · typical 2.8–9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 21.00 | 16.4" | 1.00 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 0.50 | 16.4" | 1.03 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.66 | - | - |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 6.6 per trap net · typical 4.4–49 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 11.33 | 5.3" | 0.17 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 6.58 | 5.3" | 0.19 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 1.32 | - | - |
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net · typical 1.8–7.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 11.67 | 4.9" | 0.15 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 1.42 | 4.9" | 0.19 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.33 | - | - |
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 3.2 per gill net · typical 7–46.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 3.17 | 6.3" | 0.12 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 0.08 | 6.3" | 0.17 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.67 | - | - |
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 0.25 | 6.2" | 0.23 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 0.17 | 6.2" | 0.39 lbs |
| Jul 27, 2020 | 0.25 | 6.7" | 0.30 lbs |
Other species in this lake (9)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 1.9 per gill net · typical 0.9–4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 1.92 | 17.8" | 2.68 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 2.00 | - | - |
| Jul 27, 2020 | 0.92 | 16.5" | 2.26 lbs |
Large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984
Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.07 per trap net · typical 0.1–1.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 1984 | 0.07 | - | 6.00 lbs |
| Jul 14, 1975 | 0.44 | - | 6.74 lbs |
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023
Catch rate: 2.8 per trap net · typical 1.2–5.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 6.33 | 9.5" | 0.56 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2023 | 2.75 | 9.5" | 0.60 lbs |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.66 | - | - |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020
Catch rate: 0.45 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2023 | 0.42 | 12.4" | 1.13 lbs |
| Jul 27, 2020 | 0.58 | 10.6" | 0.76 lbs |
| Jul 27, 2020 | 0.45 | 10.6" | 0.65 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2005
Last surveyed 2005 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 20, 2009 | 0.08 | 11.0" | 0.84 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2005 | 0.17 | 9.0" | 0.71 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2005 | 0.25 | 9.0" | 0.33 lbs |
Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.2 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2012 | 0.20 | - | - |
| Jul 30, 2012 | 2.33 | - | - |
Seining survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 0.91 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.91 | - | - |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 9.89 | - | - |
| Jul 30, 2012 | 10.28 | - | - |
Seining survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 0.73 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.73 | - | - |
| Jul 30, 2012 | 0.40 | - | - |
| Jul 30, 2012 | 1.03 | - | - |
Seining survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 0.33 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.33 | - | - |
| Jun 22, 2021 | 0.66 | - | - |
| Jul 30, 2012 | 1.33 | - | - |
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)
Smallmouth Bass
Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026
Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
Catch-and-release only
Smallmouth Bass
Season: May 23, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026
Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth
Smallmouth Bass
Season: Sep 14, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
Catch-and-release only
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
30
Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers
no limit
Bullhead
100
Biologist Notes
July 31, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins in Pleasant Lake on July 31, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins in Pleasant Lake on July 31, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 27.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 27.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.2 feet, indicating that limited oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.0 degrees C (69.9 degrees F). TDO3 values near 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco; however, the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of this survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2012-2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicate variability of suitable oxythermal habitat across in years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2012. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
July 31, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins in Pleasant Lake on July 31, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins in Pleasant Lake on July 31, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 27.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 27.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.2 feet, indicating that limited oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.0 degrees C (69.9 degrees F). TDO3 values near 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco; however, the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of this survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2012-2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicate variability of suitable oxythermal habitat across in years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2012. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
July 31, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins in Pleasant Lake on July 31, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins in Pleasant Lake on July 31, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased to below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 27.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 27.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 0.2 feet, indicating that limited oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.0 degrees C (69.9 degrees F). TDO3 values near 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco; however, the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of this survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2012-2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicate variability of suitable oxythermal habitat across in years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2012. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Pleasant?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass in Pleasant. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Pleasant?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Pleasant. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Pleasant?
Pleasant has a maximum depth of 72 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Pleasant last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pleasant is from 2023.
Does Pleasant have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Pleasant in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
Are there special fishing regulations on Pleasant?
No — Pleasant 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.
More lakes in Cass County
View all113 acres
Hybrid Sunfish · Pumpkinseed
76 acres
Green Sunfish · Black Crappie · Northern Pike
73 acres
Bluegill · Pumpkinseed · Northern Pike
33 acres
Hybrid Sunfish · Bluegill · Black Crappie
27 acres
Brook Trout
103,444 acres
Muskellunge · Black Crappie · Northern Pike
Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 1,099.17 acres
- Max Depth
- 72 ft
- Shoreline
- 10.06 mi
- Public Access
- Yes
Location
46.9135°N, 94.4748°W
Depth contours: Minnesota DNR, digitized from lake surveys of varying vintage. Water levels change — verify on the water.
Get Directions