Inkey

Itasca County

Near Taconite

DOW: 31024000

Black CrappieGood · 66Northern PikeGood · 65BluegillGood · 55

A 60-acre lake near Taconite in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1979.

Fish Species (5)

Black Crappie

Good · 66

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.19 lbs

Catch rate: 13.0 per trap net · typical 1–6.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1979	11.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 1979	13.00	-	0.19 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 65

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.38 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1979	2.00	-	3.38 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Good · 55

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 26.3 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1979	26.25	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 1979	2.00	-	0.05 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.45 lbs

Catch rate: 4.8 per trap net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1979	4.75	-	1.45 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 42

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 1.1–4.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 1979	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best black crappie 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

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").

Biologist Notes

July 11, 1979Bass, Bluegill and Crappie populations are considerably above state and local catch medians.

Bass, Bluegill and Crappie populations are considerably above state and local catch medians.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Inkey?

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

Is there public access at Inkey?

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

How deep is Inkey?

Inkey has a maximum depth of 68 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Inkey last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Inkey is from 1979. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Inkey have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Inkey?

No — Inkey 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.