La Croix

Itasca County

Near Spring Lake (Itasca)

DOW: 31078800

Black CrappieGood · 59Northern PikeGood · 57Largemouth BassAverage · 40

A 142-acre lake near Spring Lake (Itasca) in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1983.

Fish Species (9)

Black Crappie

Good · 59

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 1, 1983	1.75	-	0.21 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 1, 1983	0.75	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1975	5.00	-	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 57

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.03 lbs

Catch rate: 7.5 per gill net · typical 2.2–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 1, 1983	7.50	-	2.03 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 1, 1983	0.25	-	0.80 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1975	8.33	-	2.82 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 40

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 1, 1983	0.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1975	1.00	-	2.33 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 37

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 6.5 per trap net · typical 7.7–43.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 1, 1983	6.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 1, 1983	2.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1975	5.50	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 5.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–13.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 1, 1983	3.50	-	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 1, 1983	5.50	-	0.05 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1975	9.00	-	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Average · 35

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.8–3.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 1, 1983	0.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1975	1.00	-	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1975	1.50	-	0.18 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Average · 35

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1975

Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.55 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 1–5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1975	0.67	-	1.55 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 27

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.4–5.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 1, 1983	0.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 26, 1975	4.00	-	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 26, 1975	3.25	-	0.18 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.

White Sucker

Average · 47

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1975

Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.57 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 26, 1975	1.00	-	1.57 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best black crappie 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").

Rock Bass

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

no limit

Biologist Notes

August 1, 1983NORTHERN PIKE POPULATION IS WELL ABOVE STATE AND LOCAL MEDIANS. ALL OTHER FISH SPECIES SEEM TO BE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE.

NORTHERN PIKE POPULATION IS WELL ABOVE STATE AND LOCAL MEDIANS. ALL OTHER FISH SPECIES SEEM TO BE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE.

August 26, 1975N Pike population is at a fairly high level. All other fish populations are within normal limits for this type of lake.

N Pike population is at a fairly high level. All other fish populations are within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in La Croix?

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

Is there public access at La Croix?

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

How deep is La Croix?

La Croix has a maximum depth of 80 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in La Croix last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in La Croix is from 1983. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does La Croix have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on La Croix?

No — La Croix 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.