Little Dead Horse

Itasca County

Near Alder

DOW: 31062100

BluegillExcellent · 77WalleyeGood · 68PumpkinseedGood · 65

A 79-acre lake near Alder in Itasca County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1982.

Fish Species (8)

Bluegill

Excellent · 77

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.26 lbs

Catch rate: 43.5 per trap net · typical 9.5–57.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	43.50	-	0.26 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1982	74.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1973	27.75	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 68

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.12 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	2.00	-	3.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1982	0.25	-	7.00 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 22, 1973	3.00	-	2.67 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 65

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.39 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per trap net · typical 1.5–6.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	1.50	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1982	2.25	-	0.39 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 22, 1973	2.00	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 53

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per gill net · typical 1–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	0.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1982	9.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1973	8.00	-	0.31 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Good · 50

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1973

Last surveyed 1973 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.4–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1973	1.00	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1973	0.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 44

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	0.75	-	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1982	0.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1973	0.25	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 39

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.27 lbs

Catch rate: 5.5 per gill net · typical 3.5–8.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1982	5.50	-	1.27 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1982	1.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 22, 1973	7.00	-	2.14 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.

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1973	0.50	-	3.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1973	0.25	-	4.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

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)

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

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

no limit

Biologist Notes

August 26, 1982Bluegill abundance is much higher than state and local catch medians. The abundance of other fish is within normal limits for this type of lake.

Bluegill abundance is much higher than state and local catch medians. The abundance of other fish is within normal limits for this type of lake.

August 22, 1973The pop. of the fllwng spec. are over the state & local medians for pop. census-Walleye, N Pike, Bluegill & Pumpkinseed. The Wht Sucker, Rock Bass & L…

The pop. of the fllwng spec. are over the state & local medians for pop. census-Walleye, N Pike, Bluegill & Pumpkinseed. The Wht Sucker, Rock Bass & LM Bass pop. are all below the state and local median although local report state that there are a lot of LM Bass in the lk and were being caught. The whole NW, W & SW shores blng in Chippewa Nat. Forest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Little Dead Horse?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Walleye, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass in Little Dead Horse. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Little Dead Horse?

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

How deep is Little Dead Horse?

Little Dead Horse has a maximum depth of 30 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Little Dead Horse last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Dead Horse is from 1982. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Little Dead Horse have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Little Dead Horse?

No — Little Dead Horse 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.