David

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31080000

Black CrappieExcellent · 79Yellow PerchGood · 56WalleyeAverage · 49

A 78-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1980.

Fish Species (7)

Black Crappie

Excellent · 79

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	0.40	-	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 28, 1980	2.50	-	0.75 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 56

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 17.6 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	1.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 28, 1980	17.60	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Average · 49

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

6.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.2 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	0.20	-	6.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 28, 1980	0.25	-	3.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 41

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 38

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.21 lbs

Catch rate: 4.2 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	4.20	-	1.21 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 28, 1980	1.25	-	1.70 lbs	Standard trap 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.

Brown Bullhead

Poor · 23

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 37.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	37.00	-	0.23 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Poor · 22

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.2 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	0.20	-	1.00 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).

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

July 28, 1980Perch and Bullhead populations are at quite high levels. All other fish populations are within normal limits for this type of lake.

Perch and Bullhead populations are at quite high levels. All other fish populations are within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in David?

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

Is there public access at David?

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

How deep is David?

David has a maximum depth of 30 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in David last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in David is from 1980. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does David have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on David?

No — David 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.