Mary

Itasca County

Near Marcell

DOW: 31047300

Hybrid SunfishExcellent · 77Rock BassGood · 69BluegillGood · 64

A 212-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1987.

Fish Species (8)

Hybrid Sunfish

Excellent · 77

Above-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.42 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1987	1.25	-	0.42 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1974

Last surveyed 1974 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.4–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1987	0.40	-	0.35 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1974	2.50	-	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1974	1.00	-	0.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 64

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 18.8 per trap net · typical 9.5–57.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1987	18.75	-	0.21 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 15, 1987	1.40	-	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1974	2.50	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 59

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.75 lbs

Catch rate: 13.2 per gill net · typical 3.5–8.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1987	13.20	-	1.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 15, 1987	0.75	-	0.67 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1974	1.75	-	1.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 59

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.34 lbs

Catch rate: 2.8 per trap net · typical 0.8–4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1987	2.20	-	0.32 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 15, 1987	2.75	-	0.34 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1974	3.50	-	0.57 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 49

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.35 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1987	0.50	-	0.35 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 15, 1987	0.40	-	2.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1974	2.75	-	0.94 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 1–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1987	2.00	-	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1974	3.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 33

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 1.5–6.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 15, 1987	1.75	-	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1974	2.00	-	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1974	1.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best hybrid sunfish 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

Biologist Notes

June 15, 1987NET CATCHES INDICATE THAT NORTHERN PIKE POPULATION ABOVE STATE AND LOCAL MEDIANS. BLUEGILLS ARE ABUN- DANT, BUT SMALL. OTHER SPECIES AT LEVELS COMPAR-…

NET CATCHES INDICATE THAT NORTHERN PIKE POPULATION ABOVE STATE AND LOCAL MEDIANS. BLUEGILLS ARE ABUN- DANT, BUT SMALL. OTHER SPECIES AT LEVELS COMPAR- ABLE TO OTHER LAKES OF THIS TYPE.

July 16, 1974Gill net catches of N Pike would seem to indicate that this species is abundant. Trapnet catches were high also for Bluegills and LM Bass.

Gill net catches of N Pike would seem to indicate that this species is abundant. Trapnet catches were high also for Bluegills and LM Bass.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Mary?

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

Is there public access at Mary?

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

How deep is Mary?

Mary has a maximum depth of 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Mary last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mary is from 1987. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Mary have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Mary?

No — Mary 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.