Grass

Itasca County

Near Marcell

DOW: 31072700

Northern PikeGood · 67BluegillGood · 61PumpkinseedGood · 61

A 120-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1989.

Fish Species (7)

Northern Pike

Good · 67

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.93 lbs

Catch rate: 11.7 per gill net · typical 3.6–11 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1989	11.67	-	1.93 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 17, 1989	0.75	-	1.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 20, 1978	7.67	-	1.80 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Good · 61

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 7.3 per trap net · typical 4–28.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1989	7.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 20, 1978	12.00	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 61

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.28 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 1.5–6.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1989	3.00	-	0.28 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 20, 1978	2.50	-	0.43 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 51

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 3.8–22.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1989	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 17, 1989	3.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1978	4.33	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 44

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.70 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.3–0.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1978	0.33	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Average · 40

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 1–3.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1989	0.33	-	2.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1978	2.00	-	3.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1978	0.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 40

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.7–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 17, 1989	0.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 20, 1978	3.50	-	0.56 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.

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").

Biologist Notes

July 17, 1989WALLEYES, ALTHOUGH NEVER STOCKED IN GRASS LAKE, HAVE BEEN SAMPLED IN BOTH THE 1978 SURVEY AND THIS ASSESSMENT. YOUNG-OF-THE-YEAR LARGEMOUTH BASS WERE…

WALLEYES, ALTHOUGH NEVER STOCKED IN GRASS LAKE, HAVE BEEN SAMPLED IN BOTH THE 1978 SURVEY AND THIS ASSESSMENT. YOUNG-OF-THE-YEAR LARGEMOUTH BASS WERE CAPTURED IN THE MINNOW TRAPS BUT NONE WERE CAUGHT IN THE NETS. NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE, AS INDICATED BY GILLNET CATCH, IS WELL ABOVE STATE AND LOCAL MEDIANS.

July 20, 1978Fish population appears to be within normal limits for this type of lake.

Fish population appears to be within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Grass?

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

Is there public access at Grass?

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

How deep is Grass?

Grass has a maximum depth of 54 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Grass last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Grass is from 1989. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Grass have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Grass?

No — Grass 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.