Homestad

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31050800

Northern PikeGood · 57Yellow PerchAverage · 44BluegillAverage · 30

A 34-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1987.

Fish Species (5)

Northern Pike

Good · 57

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.71 lbs

Catch rate: 6.3 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1987	6.33	-	2.71 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 9, 1987	0.25	-	1.90 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 44

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 2.7 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1987	0.75	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 9, 1987	2.67	-	0.16 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 30

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1987	6.00	-	0.09 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.

White Sucker

Excellent · 80

Above-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.23 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1987	0.50	-	2.35 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 9, 1987	2.00	-	2.23 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 30

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1987	0.25	-	0.10 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).

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").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 9, 1987THERE IS A HIGH POPULATION OF NORTHERN PIKE, ALTHOUGH SMALL, AND A LOW POPULATION OF PERCH CAUGHT IN NETS, ALTHOUGH YEARLING SIZE PERCH APPEAR TO BE A…

THERE IS A HIGH POPULATION OF NORTHERN PIKE, ALTHOUGH SMALL, AND A LOW POPULATION OF PERCH CAUGHT IN NETS, ALTHOUGH YEARLING SIZE PERCH APPEAR TO BE ABUNDANT FROM OBSERVATIONS. BLUEGILL POPULATIONS APPEAR TO BE BELOW STATE AND LOCAL MEDIANS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Homestad?

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

Is there public access at Homestad?

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

How deep is Homestad?

Homestad has a maximum depth of 51 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Homestad last surveyed?

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

Does Homestad have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Homestad?

No — Homestad has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.