Peterson

Crow Wing County

Near Bay Lake

DOW: 18007900

Northern PikeGood · 59Yellow PerchGood · 56PumpkinseedGood · 51

A 44-acre lake near Bay Lake in Crow Wing County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1982.

Fish Species (7)

Northern Pike

Good · 59

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.55 lbs

Catch rate: 15.5 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1982	15.50	-	1.55 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 10, 1982	3.00	-	1.77 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1982	2.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1982	6.00	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 22.5 per trap net · typical 4.9–49.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1982	22.50	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 45

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1982	1.00	-	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Good · 63

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.68 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 1–3.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1982	3.00	-	1.68 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 59

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 23.5 per trap net · typical 2.2–16.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 10, 1982	3.00	-	0.43 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 10, 1982	23.50	-	0.16 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)

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").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 10, 1982Overabundance of slow growing Northern Pike. Bluegill population about normal for local lakes, growth rate slow. Largemouth Bass present with all size…

Overabundance of slow growing Northern Pike. Bluegill population about normal for local lakes, growth rate slow. Largemouth Bass present with all sizes being caught by anglers. Yellow Perch population low making forage food for bigger predators hard to find. A small Black Crappie population present.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Peterson?

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

Is there public access at Peterson?

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

How deep is Peterson?

Peterson has a maximum depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Peterson last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Peterson is from 1982. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Peterson have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Peterson?

No — Peterson 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.