Cat

Lake County

Near Isabella

DOW: 38055600

Largemouth BassGood · 50Black CrappieAverage · 48Yellow PerchAverage · 47

A 43-acre lake near Isabella in Lake County — best known for bass and panfish. Last surveyed 1990.

Fish Species (8)

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.80 lbs

Catch rate: 0.1 per trap net · typical 0.2–0.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1990	0.10	-	2.80 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1979	0.20	-	0.47 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 48

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.37 lbs

Catch rate: 0.4 per trap net · typical 1.7–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 18, 1979	0.40	-	0.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 47

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 4.8 per gill net · typical 2.5–14.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1990	0.20	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1979	4.75	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.14 lbs

Catch rate: 4.3 per gill net · typical 2.2–10.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1990	0.10	-	2.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1979	0.07	-	6.00 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1979	4.25	-	1.14 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.6–17.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1990	0.50	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1979	0.67	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 29

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.56 lbs

Catch rate: 4.5 per gill net · typical 2–8.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1990	0.40	-	1.48 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1979	4.50	-	0.56 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 18, 1979	1.27	-	1.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Average · 27

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1990

Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.1 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1990	0.10	-	0.20 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

Good · 57

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979

Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.51 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 1.6–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 10, 1990	0.10	-	3.50 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1979	0.47	-	2.03 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 18, 1979	2.00	-	2.51 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best largemouth bass 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

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

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

August 10, 1990Northern Pike were the only species that showed an increase from previous catches, while Walleye experienced the greatest decline. There has been a st…

Northern Pike were the only species that showed an increase from previous catches, while Walleye experienced the greatest decline. There has been a steady decline in the numbers of Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, and White Sucker. Black Crappie were sampled in previous assessments but none were caught in 1990.

June 18, 1979Gillnet catches of all species of fish are lower than reported in the 1961 survey. The Panfish population has declined drastically in recent years acc…

Gillnet catches of all species of fish are lower than reported in the 1961 survey. The Panfish population has declined drastically in recent years according to local residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Cat?

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

Is there public access at Cat?

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

How deep is Cat?

Cat has a maximum depth of 21 feet and a mean depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Cat last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cat is from 1990. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Cat have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Cat?

No — Cat 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.