Mud

Itasca County

Near Zemple

DOW: 31075000

PumpkinseedExcellent · 75Northern PikeGood · 57Yellow PerchGood · 52

A 92-acre lake near Zemple in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1979.

Fish Species (5)

Pumpkinseed

Excellent · 75

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.47 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per trap net · typical 2–8.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	4.00	-	0.47 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 57

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.41 lbs

Catch rate: 23.5 per gill net · typical 3.5–10.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	23.50	-	1.41 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 27, 1979	6.50	-	0.94 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 52

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.26 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 3.4–43.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	3.50	-	0.44 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 27, 1979	2.00	-	0.26 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Average · 42

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.15 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 1.3–5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	2.00	-	1.15 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 27, 1979	0.50	-	3.00 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.

Yellow Bullhead

Poor · 10

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1–10.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 27, 1979	0.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best pumpkinseed 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).

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").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 27, 1979NORTHERN PIKE POPULATION IS QUITE HIGH AND PERCH ARE FAIRLY LOW. ALL OTHER FISH POPULATIONS ARE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.

NORTHERN PIKE POPULATION IS QUITE HIGH AND PERCH ARE FAIRLY LOW. ALL OTHER FISH POPULATIONS ARE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Mud?

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

Is there public access at Mud?

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

How deep is Mud?

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

When were the main sport fish in Mud last surveyed?

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

Does Mud have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Mud?

No — Mud 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.