Little Ox

Crow Wing County

Near Manhattan Beach

DOW: 18030200

BluegillExcellent · 93Yellow PerchExcellent · 84PumpkinseedExcellent · 80

A 46-acre lake near Manhattan Beach in Crow Wing County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1981.

Fish Species (9)

Bluegill

Excellent · 93

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 87.3 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	0.50	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 1, 1981	87.25	-	-	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 84

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.32 lbs

Catch rate: 24.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	24.50	-	0.32 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Excellent · 80

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.19 lbs

Catch rate: 10.0 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	10.00	-	0.19 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 1, 1981	1.50	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

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

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	0.50	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 68

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.06 lbs

Catch rate: 4.5 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	4.50	-	3.06 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Good · 53

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.31 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	1.00	-	0.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 44

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.28 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	1.00	-	0.28 lbs	Standard trap 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.

Brown Bullhead

Good · 63

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	1.25	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 1, 1981	6.50	-	0.58 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 1, 1981	5.00	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

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").

Rock Bass

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 1, 1981Test netting indicates a good population of Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass and Pumpkinseed. The large amount and individual size of Blu…

Test netting indicates a good population of Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass and Pumpkinseed. The large amount and individual size of Bluegills indicates a stunted population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Little Ox?

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

Is there public access at Little Ox?

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

How deep is Little Ox?

Little Ox has a maximum depth of 72 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Little Ox last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Ox is from 1981. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Little Ox have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Little Ox?

No — Little Ox 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.