Bass

Bass lake is a 433 acre lake located two miles northeast of Merrifield in Crow Wing County. Bass has a maximum depth of 38'. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 100 foot long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. In this survey all ten stations were sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' 1/8th inch seine was used at three stations, and the 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at five additional stations. Two stations had heavy vegetation which did not allow for seining. Ten species were sampled including Johnny Darter, Iowa Darter, banded killifish and central mudminnow. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gillnet and trapnet survey on 22-25 June 2015, to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score. This score will be an indicator of the health of Bass Lake.

Bass (Turkey) is a 433 acre lake located two miles northeast of Merrifield in Crow Wing County. The majority of the lake is shallow, with 91% less than 15' deep. Maximum depth is 38'. A small earthen access is located on the eastern shore. Water clarity is good, with a secchi disk reading of 16'. Large bulrush beds surround much of the lake. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Anglers looking for lots of action should target northern pike. Northern pike were abundant at 19.2/gillnet. Most were on the small side, although 14% were at least 24" in length. Northern pike up to 33.8" were sampled. Largemouth bass were sampled in high numbers in gillnets at 2.2/net. Largemouth bass had an average length of 13.2", with bass up to 20" sampled. Black crappies were captured in average numbers in gillnets at 3.9/net, and low numbers in trapnets 1.4/net. Most of the crappies were on the small side with an average length of 5.7" from gillnets, and 7.7" from the trapnets. For both gears combined only 13% were at least 8" in length. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers at 12.3/trapnet. Bluegills should be of an acceptable size to anglers, with an average length of 7". Bluegills 7" and greater accounted for 63% of the trapnet catch. No invasive species have been discovered in Bass Lake, but they are located in the local area. Before and after launching lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

Northern pike and rock bass were abundant. Brown bullhead and black crappie abundance was low. Pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow perch and walleye abundance was high for the lake class. Abundance of northern pike (13.5/gillnet) remained high. Ages ii-v were present; about 53% being from the 1988 year class. Growth was good. Median length remained at 19 inches but average weight increased to 2.02 lbs, compared to 1.62 lbs in 1987 (at first quartile). Largemouth bass was only sampled as yoy (young of year) fish in shoreline seining. Walleye (1.5/gillnet) abundance was average for the lake class. The three fish sampled were from the 1985-1986 year classes. Walleye were sampled previously only in 1982. Bluegill (15.5/ trapnet) was average in abundance and similar to 1987 (18.5/trapnet). In 1987 median length was 3.5-3.9 only 1.5% of fish measured were at least 7.0 long. In 1992 the median length was 6.5-6.9 average size increased to 0.20 lbs (average) and about 27% of the bluegill measured were at least 7.0 inches long. Pumpkinseed (6.5/trapnet) also had average abundance, similar to 1987 (4.0/trapnet), and fish as large as 8.5 inches long were sampled. Black crappie abundance (2.0/trapnet) remained low. Ages vi-viii were sampled and appeared to be slow growing. Rock bass became abundant (2.0/trapnet) in 1992 and average 0.60 lbs in size. Yellow perch abundance (10.0/gillnet) was average and similar to 1987 (9.0/gillnet). Ages yoy and iii-vi were sampled. Growth remained slow. Brown bullhead (0.25/ trapnet) abundance remained low.

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

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

Bass has a maximum depth of 38 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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

No — Bass 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.