Pug Hole

Crow Wing County

Near Outing

DOW: 18020900

Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 95PumpkinseedGood · 74Northern PikeGood · 72

A 47-acre lake near Outing in Crow Wing County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1983.

Fish Species (10)

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 95

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	2.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 74

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 18.5 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	18.50	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 72

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

12.33 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	1.50	-	12.33 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1983	0.50	-	2.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 70

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	1.00	-	0.75 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 62

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 83.5 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	83.50	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1983	0.50	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	0.50	-	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 44

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	2.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1983	2.50	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (3)

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

Black Bullhead

Good · 68

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.55 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	2.50	-	0.55 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 68

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.10 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	2.50	-	2.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.31 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1983	0.50	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1983	2.00	-	0.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best hybrid sunfish 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)

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").

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

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 11, 1983Test netting indicated a large population of small bluegills. White sucker, bowfin, and pumpkinseed numbers would also be considered high. Northern pi…

Test netting indicated a large population of small bluegills. White sucker, bowfin, and pumpkinseed numbers would also be considered high. Northern pike were present in average numbers, with fish of 14 and 17 lbs being taken in the nets. Northern cisco yellow perch, and black and yellow bullheads could be considered as being in average numbers. The black crappie catch was low.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Pug Hole?

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

Is there public access at Pug Hole?

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

How deep is Pug Hole?

Pug Hole has a maximum depth of 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Pug Hole last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pug Hole is from 1983. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Pug Hole have any invasive species?

Yes — Pug Hole has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Are there special fishing regulations on Pug Hole?

No — Pug Hole 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.