Erickson

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31051200

Yellow PerchAverage · 48Northern PikePoor · 23BluegillPoor · 21

A 29-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1987.

Fish Species (5)

Yellow Perch

Average · 48

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.44 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1987	3.00	-	0.44 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Poor · 23

Below-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

8.65 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1987	2.00	-	8.65 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Poor · 21

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1987	4.00	-	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 16, 1987	0.33	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1987	0.75	-	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 16, 1987	1.33	-	0.35 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

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

White Sucker

Average · 41

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.95 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1987	0.67	-	2.95 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best yellow perch 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)

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

Biologist Notes

June 16, 1987GOOD POPULATION OF SMALL BASS. VERY GOOD POPULA- TION OF LARGE NORTHERN PIKE. PERCH POPULATION IS ALMOST ALL OLDER FISH.

GOOD POPULATION OF SMALL BASS. VERY GOOD POPULA- TION OF LARGE NORTHERN PIKE. PERCH POPULATION IS ALMOST ALL OLDER FISH.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Erickson?

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

Is there public access at Erickson?

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

How deep is Erickson?

Erickson has a maximum depth of 70 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Erickson last surveyed?

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

Does Erickson have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Erickson?

No — Erickson 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.