Knieff

Crow Wing County

Near White Hawk

DOW: 18003500

Northern PikeGood · 70PumpkinseedGood · 56Black CrappieGood · 54

A 44-acre lake near White Hawk in Crow Wing County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1973.

Fish Species (5)

Northern Pike

Good · 70

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1973

Last surveyed 1973 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.98 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 4, 1973	2.50	-	3.98 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 4, 1973	0.33	-	1.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 56

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1973

Last surveyed 1973 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–4.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 4, 1973	1.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 54

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1973

Last surveyed 1973 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.19 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–4.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 4, 1973	4.00	-	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 4, 1973	0.33	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 44

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1973

Last surveyed 1973 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.01 lbs

Catch rate: 78.0 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 4, 1973	78.00	-	0.01 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 4, 1973	18.00	-	0.12 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 · 73

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1973

Last surveyed 1973 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.67 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per trap net · typical 2–8.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 4, 1973	17.00	-	0.55 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 4, 1973	8.00	-	0.67 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).

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

September 4, 1973Bass-Panfish.

Bass-Panfish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Knieff?

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

Is there public access at Knieff?

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

How deep is Knieff?

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

When were the main sport fish in Knieff last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Knieff is from 1973. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Knieff have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Knieff?

No — Knieff 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.