McKewen

Itasca County

Near Marcell

DOW: 31068200

Northern PikeGood · 73BluegillGood · 56Black CrappieAverage · 38

A 26-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1997.

Fish Species (4)

Northern Pike

Good · 73

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

14.3"

Avg Weight

1.11 lbs

Catch rate: 9.3 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike25% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 75%Largest sampled 32"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 4, 1997	9.33	14.3"	1.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1997	0.89	14.3"	0.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 56

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.3"

Avg Weight

0.45 lbs

Catch rate: 0.89 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill63% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 37%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 4, 1997	0.89	7.3"	0.45 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 38

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–10.6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie6% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 94%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 4, 1997	2.00	5.6"	0.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1997	4.00	5.6"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap 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.

Golden Shiner

Average · 36

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 4, 1997	0.56	5.6"	0.09 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).

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

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 4, 1997McKewen Lake is primarily a northern pike/panfish lake that is located in the Chippewa National Forest. Northern pike sampled with gill nets had a cat…

McKewen Lake is primarily a northern pike/panfish lake that is located in the Chippewa National Forest. Northern pike sampled with gill nets had a catch rate (9.3/set) that exceeded the expected range for this type of lake. The mean length for sampled northern pike was 15.6 inches, with a length range from 9.9 to 32.4 inches. The mean weight was 1.1 pounds. Black crappie were sampled with trap nets, and had a mean catch rate (4.0/set) that was within the expected range. The mean length was 6.2 inches, with a length range from 3.7 to 11.0 inches. Other species caught include: bluegill, golden shiner, and tadpole madtom. McKewen Lake provides anglers with a unique opportunity to fish a lake that receives little fishing pressure and maintains its undeveloped shoreline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in McKewen?

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

Is there public access at McKewen?

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

How deep is McKewen?

McKewen has a maximum depth of 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in McKewen last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in McKewen is from 1997. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does McKewen have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on McKewen?

No — McKewen 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.