Edward

Crow Wing County

Near Merrifield

DOW: 18030500

Largemouth BassExcellent · 96Northern PikeExcellent · 75Rock BassGood · 69

A 2,628-acre lake near Merrifield in Crow Wing County — best known for bass and pike. Last surveyed 2023.

Fish Species (21)

Largemouth Bass

Excellent · 96

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.8"

Avg Weight

0.41 lbs

Catch rate: 202.8 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable largemouth bass62% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 38%Largest sampled 14"

Size from the Jul 2023 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	2.13	11.2"	0.95 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 2, 2020	7.86	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Sep 2, 2020	1.25	-	-	50-ft beach seine

Northern Pike

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023

Avg Size

21.5"

Avg Weight

2.45 lbs

Catch rate: 11.8 per gill net · typical 3–7.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike24% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 76%Largest sampled 34"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	11.80	21.5"	2.45 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 2, 2020	0.71	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Jul 13, 2020	0.13	20.3"	4.02 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020

Avg Size

6.3"

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 0.7–3.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable rock bass52% keeper-size (8"+)

4–7" · 48%Largest sampled 10"

Size from the Jul 2023 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	2.33	7.1"	0.42 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 2, 2020	2.86	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Jul 13, 2020	1.60	6.3"	0.42 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Good · 64

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 3.3 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish8% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 92%Largest sampled 8"

Size from the Jul 2023 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	1.73	5.7"	0.24 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 2, 2020	0.33	-	-	50-ft beach seine
Sep 2, 2020	0.20	-	-	15-ft beach seine

Walleye

Stocked 2025

Good · 52

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023

Avg Size

13.4"

Avg Weight

1.24 lbs

Catch rate: 8.7 per gill net · typical 4–9.6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye6% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 94%Largest sampled 15"

Size from the Sep 2025 survey

Stocked with fry every year · 18,000,000 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 22, 2025	16.50	9.1"	0.34 lbs	Fall electrofishing
Oct 3, 2024	18.00	10.4"	0.80 lbs	Fall electrofishing
Oct 2, 2023	30.42	8.1"	0.36 lbs	Fall electrofishing

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2025	fry	2,000,000	18.4	-
2024	fry	2,000,000	17.9	-
2023	fry	2,000,000	17.9	-
2022	fry	2,000,000	18.2	-
2021	fry	2,000,000	18.0	-
2019	fry	2,000,000	16.7	-
2018	fry	2,000,000	17.8	-
2017	fry	2,000,000	18.1	-
2016	fry	2,000,000	17.7	-

Yellow Perch

Average · 42

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023

Avg Size

6.3"

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 11.1 per gill net · typical 7.1–33.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch10% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 90%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	11.07	6.3"	0.16 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 2, 2020	2.14	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Sep 2, 2020	1.92	-	-	50-ft beach seine

Black Crappie

Average · 35

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.7"

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.27 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	0.07	10.0"	0.71 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 2014	0.27	7.7"	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 2014	0.13	7.7"	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 27

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 26.5 per trap net · typical 3.7–42.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Size from the Jul 2023 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	5.13	4.3"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 2, 2020	41.75	-	-	50-ft beach seine
Sep 2, 2020	1.40	-	-	15-ft beach seine

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 22

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020

Avg Size

5.4"

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 2.1 per trap net · typical 1.6–6.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Size from the Jul 2023 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	14.07	4.3"	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 2, 2020	1.92	-	-	50-ft beach seine
Sep 2, 2020	2.86	-	-	Backpack electrofishing

Green Sunfish

Poor · 21

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020

Avg Size

4.0"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.07 per trap net · typical 0.2–1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 13, 2020	0.07	4.0"	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 2014	0.07	6.0"	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 22, 2002	0.13	3.7"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Smallmouth Bass

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Avg Size

2.1"

Catch rate: 1.5 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2002	1.50	2.1"	-	Survey seining

Other species in this lake (10)

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

Common Carp

Good · 62

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020

Avg Size

25.7"

Avg Weight

8.47 lbs

Catch rate: 0.2 per gill net · typical 0.1–0.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 13, 2020	0.20	25.7"	8.47 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 2014	0.07	22.0"	3.42 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 2014	0.13	22.0"	6.64 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.90 lbs

Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	0.07	12.0"	1.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1997	0.08	10.0"	0.74 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 26, 1982	0.08	-	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 36

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020

Avg Size

12.0"

Avg Weight

1.13 lbs

Catch rate: 0.07 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	0.27	12.8"	1.25 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 13, 2020	0.20	12.0"	1.02 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 13, 2020	0.07	12.0"	1.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Average · 36

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2023

Avg Size

18.0"

Avg Weight

2.58 lbs

Catch rate: 0.13 per gill net · typical 1–3.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	0.13	18.0"	2.58 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 2008	0.07	16.0"	1.85 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 22, 2002	0.13	19.0"	3.04 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 33

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020

Avg Size

12.1"

Avg Weight

0.94 lbs

Catch rate: 0.2 per trap net · typical 0.9–4.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 2023	6.40	10.5"	0.79 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 2, 2020	0.71	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Jul 13, 2020	0.20	12.1"	0.94 lbs	Standard trap nets

Iowa Darter

Insufficient

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Sep 2020

Catch rate: 0.71 · Electrofishing survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 2, 2020	0.71	-	-	Backpack electrofishing

Golden Shiner

Insufficient

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Sep 2020

Catch rate: 0.71 · Electrofishing survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 2, 2020	0.71	-	-	Backpack electrofishing

Shiner species

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 0.67 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 2002	0.67	-	-	Survey seining

Bluntnose Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Sep 2020

Catch rate: 29.6 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 2, 2020	37.88	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Sep 2, 2020	29.60	-	-	15-ft beach seine
Sep 2, 2020	45.33	-	-	50-ft beach seine

Johnny Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Sep 2020

Catch rate: 2.2 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 2, 2020	27.16	-	-	Backpack electrofishing
Sep 2, 2020	2.17	-	-	50-ft beach seine
Sep 2, 2020	0.20	-	-	15-ft beach seine

See the best largemouth bass lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Special regulations on this lake

DNR special regulations override the statewide limits.

Crappie and Sunfish
Daily limit five.

Statewide limits

Statewide limits — apply unless a special regulation above overrides them.

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

Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.

Crappie

10 combined total

Overridden on this lake — see special regulation above.

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

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

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

September 22, 2025Edward is stocked annually with 2 million Walleye fry. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 22nd, 2025, to monitor the abundance of young-o…

Edward is stocked annually with 2 million Walleye fry. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 22nd, 2025, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours, resulting in a YOY Walleye catch rate of 4.5 per hour. These fish ranged in size from 5.3 to 6.5 inches, with a mean length of 5.8 inches. Age 1 and older Walleyes were captured at a rate of 12.0 per hour. They ranged in size from 8.7 to 15.7 inches, with a mean length of 11.0 inches.

October 3, 2024Edward is stocked annually with 2 million Walleye fry. Night electrofishing was conducted on October 3rd, 2024, to monitor the abundance of young-of-t…

Edward is stocked annually with 2 million Walleye fry. Night electrofishing was conducted on October 3rd, 2024, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours, resulting in a YOY Walleye catch rate of 7.5/hour run-time. These fish ranged in size from 5.6" to 7.0", with a mean length of 6.1". Walleyes that were age 1 and older were captured at a rate of 10.5/hour run-time. They ranged in size from 8.5" to 26.6" with a mean length of 14.2".

October 2, 2023Edward is stocked annually with 2 million walleye fry. Night electrofishing was conducted on October 2nd, 2023, to monitor the abundance of young-of-t…

Edward is stocked annually with 2 million walleye fry. Night electrofishing was conducted on October 2nd, 2023, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours and 2 minutes, resulting in a YOY walleye catch rate of 15.7/hour run-time. These fish ranged in size from 4.7" to 6.8", with a mean length of 5.5". Walleyes that were age 1 and older were captured at a rate of 14.3/hour run-time. They ranged in size from 8.2" to 19.8" with a mean length of 12.0".

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Edward?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Walleye in Edward. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Edward?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Edward. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Edward?

Edward has a maximum depth of 75 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Edward last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Edward is from 2023.

Does Edward have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Edward?

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Edward, covering crappie and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.