Bass

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31051100

Northern PikeGood · 68BluegillGood · 53Yellow PerchGood · 52

A 64-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1979.

Fish Species (6)

Northern Pike

Good · 68

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

5.20 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1979	1.00	-	5.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 27, 1979	0.67	-	8.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 53

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 21.7 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1979	21.67	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 27, 1979	1.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 52

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 3.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–18.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1979	3.50	-	0.16 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 0.3–3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1979	3.00	-	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 48

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.43 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per trap net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1979	2.00	-	0.43 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 27, 1979	2.00	-	0.80 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 44

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 1.1–4.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1979	1.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 27, 1979	0.33	-	0.20 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)

Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

Smallmouth Bass

Season: Sep 14, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

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 27, 1979N Pike and Perch populations are slightly low. Bass and Bluegill populations are above local and state catch medians.

N Pike and Perch populations are slightly low. Bass and Bluegill populations are above local and state catch medians.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Bass?

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

Is there public access at Bass?

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

How deep is Bass?

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

When were the main sport fish in Bass last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 1979. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Bass have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Bass?

No — Bass 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.