Wise

Crow Wing County

Near Legionville

DOW: 18031900

PumpkinseedGood · 70Northern PikeGood · 64Black CrappieGood · 57

A 135-acre lake near Legionville in Crow Wing County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1981.

Fish Species (8)

Pumpkinseed

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 190.0 per trap net · typical 1.4–8.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1981	3.50	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 15, 1981	190.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 64

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.84 lbs

Catch rate: 17.5 per gill net · typical 4.6–11.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1981	17.50	-	1.84 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 57

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 7.5 per trap net · typical 0.8–6.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1981	3.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 15, 1981	7.50	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 48

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 10.5 per gill net · typical 8–40.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1981	2.75	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 15, 1981	10.50	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Poor · 1

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.01 lbs

Catch rate: 8.3 per trap net · typical 0.3–0.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1981	8.25	-	0.01 lbs	Standard trap 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 · 58

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.80 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 1.1–17.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1981	9.50	-	0.61 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 15, 1981	1.25	-	0.80 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 1.5–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1981	1.50	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 49

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.37 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per trap net · typical 1.8–7.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1981	19.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 15, 1981	5.25	-	0.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best pumpkinseed 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").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 15, 1981Test netting indicated a good population of N Pike and Blk Crappies. A very high population of stunted Pumpkinseeds are also present. The avg. size of…

Test netting indicated a good population of N Pike and Blk Crappies. A very high population of stunted Pumpkinseeds are also present. The avg. size of Northerns and Crappies are on the small to medium side. An adequate Bass population is present.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Wise?

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

Is there public access at Wise?

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

How deep is Wise?

Wise has a maximum depth of 44 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Wise last surveyed?

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

Does Wise have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Wise?

No — Wise 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.