Middle Hanson

Itasca County

Near Taconite

DOW: 31039600

Black CrappieGood · 63Rock BassGood · 60Northern PikeGood · 57

A 65-acre lake near Taconite in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1982.

Fish Species (11)

Black Crappie

Good · 63

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 1–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	6.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 25, 1982	2.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Good · 60

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.26 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	2.00	-	0.23 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 25, 1982	1.75	-	0.26 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 57

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.60 lbs

Catch rate: 14.0 per gill net · typical 2.7–9.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	14.00	-	1.60 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 25, 1982	0.50	-	1.95 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	0.67	-	1.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 10.0 per trap net · typical 2.9–41.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	1.67	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 25, 1982	10.00	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 43

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 3.3 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	0.33	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 25, 1982	3.25	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 22

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 1.9–19.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	1.75	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 25, 1982	0.33	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (4)

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

White Sucker

Good · 66

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.64 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	2.33	-	1.64 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.22 lbs

Catch rate: 8.3 per trap net · typical 0.7–16.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	8.25	-	0.22 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 25, 1982	21.67	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 47

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.44 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 0.5–5.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	2.00	-	0.44 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 25, 1982	3.67	-	0.29 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 44

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 4.3 per trap net · typical 1.4–7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 25, 1982	2.00	-	0.52 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 25, 1982	4.25	-	0.29 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

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

June 25, 1982Northern pike and bullhead abundance is considerably above state and local medians perch abundance is quite low. The abundance of other fishes is with…

Northern pike and bullhead abundance is considerably above state and local medians perch abundance is quite low. The abundance of other fishes is within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Middle Hanson?

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

Is there public access at Middle Hanson?

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

How deep is Middle Hanson?

Middle Hanson has a maximum depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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

Does Middle Hanson have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Middle Hanson?

No — Middle 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.