Upper Hanson

Itasca County

Near Taconite

DOW: 31034600

Northern PikeGood · 51PumpkinseedAverage · 47Black CrappieAverage · 45

A 131-acre lake near Taconite in Itasca County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1978.

Fish Species (9)

Northern Pike

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.17 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 26, 1978	3.00	-	2.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 26, 1978	0.25	-	2.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 47

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 26, 1978	1.75	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

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

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 26, 1978	0.33	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 26, 1978	1.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 43

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 26, 1978	0.50	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 41

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 26, 1978	5.25	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 26, 1978	0.33	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Poor · 20

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 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 26, 1978	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Brown Bullhead

Average · 44

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.34 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 26, 1978	5.00	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 26, 1978	1.25	-	0.34 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Poor · 22

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 26, 1978	0.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap 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)

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

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 26, 1978Fish population is within normal limits for this type of lake.

Fish population is within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Upper Hanson?

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

Is there public access at Upper Hanson?

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

How deep is Upper Hanson?

Upper Hanson has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Upper Hanson is from 1978. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Upper Hanson have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Upper Hanson?

No — Upper Hanson 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.