Bass

Q: What fish can you catch in Bass?

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

Q: Is there public access at Bass?

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

Q: How deep is Bass?

Bass has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

Q: When were the main sport fish in Bass last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 1997. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Q: Does Bass have any invasive species?

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

Q: Are there special fishing regulations on Bass?

No — Bass has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide rock bass limit is: 30. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.

Itasca County

Near Spring Lake (Itasca)

DOW: 31083300

Rock BassExcellent · 75Northern PikeGood · 67Largemouth BassGood · 57

A 93-acre lake near Spring Lake (Itasca) in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1997.

Fish Species (11)

Rock Bass

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 2.4 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable rock bass20% keeper-size (8"+)

4–7" · 80%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	2.38	6.5"	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 30, 1997	0.50	6.5"	0.37 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 1992	0.25	-	0.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 67

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

28.6"

Avg Weight

6.12 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 4.8–12.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike80% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 20%Largest sampled 38"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	1.25	28.6"	6.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 1992	3.00	-	5.57 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1979	3.00	-	5.42 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 57

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

12.7"

Avg Weight

1.26 lbs

Catch rate: 5.1 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable largemouth bass70% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 30%Largest sampled 15"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	5.11	12.7"	1.26 lbs	Standard electrofishing
Jun 30, 1997	1.50	12.7"	1.34 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 1992	2.25	-	1.39 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Good · 57

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.8"

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish10% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 90%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	1.25	5.8"	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 1992	1.25	-	0.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 1992	9.00	-	0.45 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 53

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 67.8 per trap net · typical 8.3–50.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill7% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 93%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	67.75	6.5"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 30, 1997	5.50	6.5"	0.28 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 1992	47.00	-	0.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 52

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.9"

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 15.9 per trap net · typical 2.8–10.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed4% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 96%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	15.88	5.9"	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 1992	0.75	-	0.27 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 1992	5.00	-	0.26 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 46

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.6"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per trap net · typical 0.8–4.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	0.50	6.6"	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 30, 1997	8.00	6.6"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 1992	2.00	-	0.41 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 45

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.4"

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 14.0 per gill net · typical 2–21.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch6% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 94%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	1.62	6.4"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 30, 1997	14.00	6.4"	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1979	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (3)

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

Brown Bullhead

Good · 62

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 9, 1979	0.50	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 9, 1979	0.75	-	1.40 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 55

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1992

Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.70 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 29, 1992	0.50	-	2.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Golden Shiner

Average · 41

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 30, 1997	0.50	6.5"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 1992	0.75	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 29, 1992	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best rock bass 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").

Rock Bass

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

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 30, 1997Bass Lake is primarily managed for panfish, although northern pike and largemouth bass both inhabit the lake. The bluegill trap net catch rate (67.8/s…

Bass Lake is primarily managed for panfish, although northern pike and largemouth bass both inhabit the lake. The bluegill trap net catch rate (67.8/set) exceeded the expected range for this type of lake. The mean length for sampled bluegill was 6.9 inches, ranging in length from 3.7 to 9.0 inches. Growth rates were near the mean for this type of lake. The black crappie trap net catch rate (8.0/set) exceeded the expected range. Sampled crappie had a mean length of 7.2 inches, and ranged in length from 6.1 to 9.0 inches. Growth rates for crappie were below (115%) the statewide mean for ages 1-4, and near the mean for age 5. Largemouth bass sampled in gill nets had a catch rate (1.5/set) within the expected range, and had a range in length from 11.0 to 15.4 inches. Daytime electrofishing had a catch rate of 5.1/hour, and a mean length of 13.1 inches. The electrofishing catch rate is considerably less than the previous survey catch rate in 1992, which ranged from 9.0 to 60.0 per hour. This is most likely due to water temperature, which was warmer in 1997 due to a later sampling date. Growth rates for largemouth were below (<85%) the statewide mean. Other species sampled in test nets include: golden shiner, hybrid sunfish, and rock bass. Anglers can ensure continued good fishing on Bass Lake by practicing catch and release fishing.

June 29, 1992See hard copy in file.A population survey on Bass Lake was conducted in 1992 by the Leech Lake Reservation Division of Resources Management Fish & Wil…

See hard copy in file.A population survey on Bass Lake was conducted in 1992 by the Leech Lake Reservation Division of Resources Management Fish & Wildlife. A hard copy is in the file.

August 9, 1979Bluegill population is higher than state and local medians. All other fish populations within normal limits for this type of lake.

Bluegill population is higher than state and local medians. All other fish populations within normal limits for this type of lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Bass?

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

Is there public access at Bass?

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

How deep is Bass?

Bass has a maximum depth of 25 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Bass last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 1997. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Bass have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Bass?

No — Bass has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide rock bass limit is: 30. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.