Brush Shanty

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31051400

Black CrappieGood · 58Northern PikeGood · 54WalleyeGood · 52

A 149-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1987.

Fish Species (8)

Black Crappie

Good · 58

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–4.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1987	6.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 17, 1987	2.75	-	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 23, 1980	6.67	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.53 lbs

Catch rate: 2.8 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1987	2.75	-	2.53 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 17, 1987	0.25	-	6.00 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 23, 1980	9.50	-	2.16 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Good · 52

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.80 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 23, 1980	0.50	-	2.80 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.85 lbs

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

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1987	0.50	-	1.85 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 17, 1987	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 23, 1980	0.25	-	1.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 43

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 9.8 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1987	9.75	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 23, 1980	14.25	-	0.19 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 23, 1980	2.00	-	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 38

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.1–4.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1987	0.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 23, 1980	1.17	-	0.29 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 29

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per gill net · typical 1.5–18.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1987	0.75	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 23, 1980	2.83	-	0.11 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 · 40

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.90 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1987	0.50	-	0.90 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best black crappie lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

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").

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

no limit

Biologist Notes

August 17, 1987NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE AND SIZE IS AVERAGE. BLACK CRAPPIE AND BLUEGILLS ARE ABUNDANT BUT SMALL. YELLOW PERCH ABUNDANCE IS LOW.

NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE AND SIZE IS AVERAGE. BLACK CRAPPIE AND BLUEGILLS ARE ABUNDANT BUT SMALL. YELLOW PERCH ABUNDANCE IS LOW.

July 23, 1980N Pike population is quite high and Perch abundance is lower than state and local medians. All other fish populations appear to be within normal limit…

N Pike population is quite high and Perch abundance is lower than state and local medians. All other fish populations appear to be within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Brush Shanty?

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

Is there public access at Brush Shanty?

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

How deep is Brush Shanty?

Brush Shanty has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Brush Shanty last surveyed?

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

Does Brush Shanty have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Brush Shanty?

No — Brush Shanty 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.