Link

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31030400

Northern PikeGood · 66BluegillGood · 56PumpkinseedGood · 53

A 48-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1982.

Fish Species (5)

Northern Pike

Good · 66

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.34 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 24, 1982	8.00	-	2.34 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 24, 1982	1.00	-	0.93 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 56

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.24 lbs

Catch rate: 16.7 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 24, 1982	16.67	-	0.24 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 24, 1982	6.50	-	0.31 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 53

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 24, 1982	0.50	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 24, 1982	1.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 48

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net · typical 1.5–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 24, 1982	8.00	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 44

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 24, 1982	0.33	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 24, 1982	1.50	-	1.00 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.

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)

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").

Biologist Notes

August 24, 1982Net catches show high populations of northern pike and bluegills. Perch and LM bass are about average and pumpkinseed abundance is below medians Natur…

Net catches show high populations of northern pike and bluegills. Perch and LM bass are about average and pumpkinseed abundance is below medians Natural reproduction appears adequate for pop- ulation maintenance at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Link?

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

Is there public access at Link?

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

How deep is Link?

Link has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Link last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Link is from 1982. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Link have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Link?

No — Link 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.