Splash

Lake County

Near Prairie Portage

DOW: 38053100

Northern PikeGood · 70WalleyeGood · 60Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 92-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County — best known for pike and walleye. Last surveyed 2014.

Fish Species (7)

Northern Pike

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

20.7"

Avg Weight

2.49 lbs

Catch rate: 11.8 per gill net · typical 2–8.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike22% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 78%Largest sampled 37"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 2014	11.75	20.7"	2.49 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Good · 60

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

14.3"

Avg Weight

1.06 lbs

Catch rate: 2.8 per gill net · typical 2.2–10.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye45% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 55%Largest sampled 18"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 2014	2.75	14.3"	1.06 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

14.5"

Avg Weight

1.90 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 2014	0.50	14.5"	1.90 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 47

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–14.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch9% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 91%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 2014	8.00	6.0"	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Average · 40

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 2014	0.25	6.0"	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Poor · 0

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 2014	1.25	5.0"	0.15 lbs	Standard gill 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

Good · 70

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2014

Last surveyed 2014 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.3"

Avg Weight

2.70 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 1.6–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 2014	6.00	17.3"	2.70 lbs	Standard gill 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

Northeast zone

Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 8, 2026

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

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

Northeast zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Not more than 1 over 26").

Rock Bass

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

no limit

Biologist Notes

June 16, 2014Splash Lake is located approximately 19 miles northeast of Ely in the BWCAW. This lake is on a popular canoe route for visitors travelling off the Moo…

Splash Lake is located approximately 19 miles northeast of Ely in the BWCAW. This lake is on a popular canoe route for visitors travelling off the Moose Lake chain of lakes. A historic winter travel route also crosses Splash Lake accessing areas to the east. There is one designated USFS campsite located on the lake. Access is commonly by a short portage (35 rods) from Newfound Lake along the north side of the outlet. Visitors accessing the lake from Ensign Lake will find a short portage (5 rods) along the south side of the inlet. During periods of high water levels this portage can be eliminated by floating through. Northern pike numbers in 2014 (11.8/gill net) were slightly higher than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. Pike sizes averaged 21.1 inches which is similar past assessments on this lake. The largest pike sampled was 37.3 inches long. Walleye numbers in 2014 (2.8/gill net) were similar to past assessments on this lake. The average walleye sampled was 14.7 inches long and about 4 years old. The largest walleye sampled was 18.2 inches long. Yellow perch numbers in 2014 (8.0/gill net) were higher than in past surveys. Perch sizes averaged 6.6 inches which is average size for Splash. The largest perch sampled was 10.5 inches long. Cisco abundance in 2014 (8.3/gill net) was lower than the long term average but average size at 13.3 inches was typical. The largest cisco sampled was 14.7 inches long. Relatively low numbers of largemouth bass, bluegill and rock bass were sampled in 2014. White sucker (6.0/gill net) were also sampled. Smallmouth bass are present, however none were sampled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Splash?

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

Is there public access at Splash?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Splash. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Splash?

Splash has a maximum depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Splash last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Splash is from 2014. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Splash have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Splash?

No — Splash has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.