Bustic

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31071300

Black CrappieGood · 67Northern PikeGood · 55Yellow PerchGood · 50

A 84-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1979.

Fish Species (8)

Black Crappie

Good · 67

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.31 lbs

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

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1979	4.50	-	0.31 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 13, 1979	1.50	-	0.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 55

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.95 lbs

Catch rate: 7.5 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1979	7.50	-	1.95 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 13, 1979	0.50	-	1.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per gill net · typical 1.5–18.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1979	9.00	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.90 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 13, 1979	0.50	-	1.90 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 13, 1979	1.50	-	3.27 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 45

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 5.8 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1979	5.75	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 13, 1979	5.00	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1979	6.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

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

White Sucker

Good · 50

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1979	1.00	-	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 36

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1979	0.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best black crappie 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)

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

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

August 13, 1979Fish population is within normal limits for this type of lake.

Fish population is within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Bustic?

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

Is there public access at Bustic?

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

How deep is Bustic?

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

When were the main sport fish in Bustic last surveyed?

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

Does Bustic have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Bustic?

No — Bustic 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.