Lower Hanson

Itasca County

Near Taconite

DOW: 31023900

Northern PikeGood · 71Largemouth BassGood · 50Black CrappieGood · 50

A 68-acre lake near Taconite in Itasca County — best known for pike and bass. Last surveyed 1980.

Fish Species (11)

Northern Pike

Good · 71

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

4.59 lbs

Catch rate: 2.2 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	2.17	-	4.59 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1980	0.75	-	2.07 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	0.25	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Stocked 2017

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.36 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Stocked with fingerlings irregularly · 1,250 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	1.25	-	0.36 lbs	Standard trap nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2017	fingerlings	750	50.0	Private citizens and sporting groups
2016	fingerlings	500	45.5	Private citizens and sporting groups

Bluegill

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 10.8 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	10.75	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 31

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	0.50	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Average · 30

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Stocked 2016

Poor · 8

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.03 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Stocked with fingerlings once · 750 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	0.17	-	0.03 lbs	Standard gill nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2016	fingerlings	750	75.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Walleye

Stocked 2017

Last Stocked

2017

Size Class

fingerlings

Total Fish

1,498

Frequency

irregularly

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2017	fingerlings	748	68.0	Private citizens and sporting groups
2016	fingerlings	750	75.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

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

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	0.33	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1980	0.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 36

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.53 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	0.75	-	0.53 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Average · 32

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.53 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1980	0.67	-	0.53 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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)

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

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

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 16, 1980Fish population appears to be within normal limits for this type of lake.

Fish population appears to be within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Lower Hanson?

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

Is there public access at Lower Hanson?

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

How deep is Lower Hanson?

Lower Hanson has a maximum depth of 75 feet and a mean depth of 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Lower Hanson last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lower Hanson is from 1980. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Lower Hanson have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Lower Hanson?

No — Lower Hanson has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.