Basswood

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Basswood Lake on August 7th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 95.1 feet), the water temperature decreased to 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 23.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 78.1 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 54.9 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Lake Whitefish was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 7.5 degrees C (45.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2014, 2022, 2024 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2022 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 2.8 feet thick. Lake Whitefish seem to be very long lived, with ages of spawning adults ranging from 8 to 19 years of age in a sample from Autumn 2022. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Basswood Lake on August 7th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 95.1 feet), the water temperature decreased to 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 23.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 78.1 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 54.9 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Lake Whitefish was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 7.5 degrees C (45.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2014, 2022, 2024 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2022 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 2.8 feet thick. Lake Whitefish seem to be very long lived, with ages of spawning adults ranging from 8 to 19 years of age in a sample from Autumn 2022. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Basswood Lake is a large, sprawling body of water located northeast of Ely and lies partly along the Canadian border. The whole lake is 25,953 acres with 14,071 acres in Minnesota and 11,882 in Ontario. All of the water in Minnesota is within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Areas on the west side (Jackfish and Pipestone Bays), south central (Back, Hoist, and Wind Bays), and the east side (Inlet and south of Bailey Bay) allow 25 hp motor use. An area from north of Washington Island to the narrows on the north side of Jackfish bay (Goose Narrows) is non-motorized. All of the water on the Ontario side is within Quetico Provincial Park and is also non-motorized. People can access the lake for day-trips in canoes with self-issued permits at the entry points. People intending to camp or motor into the allowed portion of the BWCAW on Basswood must obtain an overnight or motor use permit from a US Forest Service District office. Numerous portages provide access throughout the lake but the most commonly used motor access routes come through Fall Lake, to Newton Lake, to Pipestone Bay on the west side. This access requires visitors to portage their own boats on portage wheels between the lakes. The other major route is through Moose Lake, to Newfound Lake, to Sucker Lake, to Prairie Portage on the east side. For a fee, a vehicle towing a trailer will pull boats over from Sucker Lake to Inlet Bay on Basswood. The lake's two major inlets, the Kawishiwi River which flows into Pipestone Bay, and the overflow of the dam at Prairie Portage, drain massive areas of land and lakes to the south and east. The lone outlet occurs at Upper Basswood Falls on the far west side of Basswood Lake. Basswood Lake has a maximum depth of 111 feet, littoral area of about 27 percent, Secchi disk reading of 8.0 to 13.0 feet and, depending on location, brown bog stain to light green colored water. Eight DO/temperature profiles were taken between August 1st and September 12th, 2022 at eight different water quality stations on the lake. All profiles showed thermal stratification to some degree with surface temps ranging from 69F to 71F and bottom temps ranging from 46F to 63F. Oxygen levels adequate for gamefish were retained to around 40 feet or deeper at all water quality locations. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline vary significantly based on your location on the lake. Many areas are dominated by boulder, rubble, gravel, and ledgerock. Other areas are entirely surrounded by bog, or have substantial amounts of soft muck, or silt over firmer substrates such as sand or gravel. Aquatic plants can be plentiful in some of the bays. The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 45.6 fish/net which was the second highest historic catch rate (46.9 fish/net in 1977). Yield was 48.8 lbs/net which was the record highest yield for the lake. Fish species sampled were walleye (34%), yellow perch (27%), tullibee (9%), white sucker (8%), black crappie (7%), northern pike (7%), rock bass (4%), bluegill (2%), smallmouth bass (2%), lake whitefish (<1%), and shorthead redhorse (<1%). The overall trap net catch rate for all fish combined was 15.6 fish/net which was lower than the 24.6 fish/net catch from the 2015 survey. Fish species sampled were bluegill (59%), northern pike (15%), black crappie (11%), yellow perch (8%), pumpkinseed (2%), walleye (1%), rock bass (1%), largemouth bass (1%), smallmouth bass (1%), white sucker (<1%), and northern sunfish (<1%). Three-hundred-nine walleye were sampled in the gill nets for a catch rate of 15.5 fish/net. This catch rate was very good compared to other similar lakes and ranked second out of seven surveys on Basswood dating back to 1961. Lengths ranged from 7 to 29 inches with an average of 15.5 inches. This average length was the highest on record for Basswood and the maximum length was on par with previous surveys. Growth rates were average when compared to other walleye populations in the area. Ages ranged from 1 to 21 with few missing year classes. Recruitment appeared strong with the strongest year-class occurring in 2019, which accounted for 28% of the total catch. The 2022 northern pike gillnet catch was 3.1 fish/net which was good compared to other similar lakes but just below average for Basswood. Lengths ranged from 14 to just over 39 inches with an average of just over 23 inches. Both the average and maximum lengths were on par with previous surveys. Seventeen smallmouth bass were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 0.9 fish/net which was better than average compared to other similar lakes and slightly better than average for Basswood. Lengths ranged from 8 to 18 inches with an average of nearly 14 inches. Ages ranged from 2 to 12 years. The tullibee gillnet catch was 4.0 fish/net which was just below average compared to past surveys on Basswood. The average (12.3 inches) and maximum (17.5 inches) lengths were similar to previous assessments. Overall, the tullibee numbers have remained fairly stable over all assessments. Forty-one black crappie were sampled in trap nets for a catch rate of 1.8 fish/net which was better than average compared to other similar lakes but below the only other trapnet catch (5.1 fish/net) on Basswood Lake. Lengths ranged from 5 to 13.5 inches with an average of nearly 10 inches. Both average and max lengths were similar to the 2015 survey. Ages ranged from 1 to 12 years old with no missing year classes. Growth rates were good compared to other crappie lakes in the area with the average fish reaching 9 inches at four years old. The bluegill population in Basswood Lake has traditionally featured excellent size structure and good numbers. The trapnet catch in 2022 was 9.3 fish/net (12.8 fish/net in 2015) which was just below the average when compared to other bluegill lakes in the Tower area. Sizes ranged from 2 to 10 inches with an average of just over 6 inches. This average length did show a slight decrease from the over 7 inch average length from the 2015 survey. Over 35% of the fish measured 7 inches or longer. Ages ranged from 1 to 11 years old with representation from all year-classes. Growth was above average for the area with the average bluegill reaching 5 inches at four years old.

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

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

Basswood has a maximum depth of 111 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Basswood is from 2022.

Yes — Basswood has confirmed spiny waterflea. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 2 special rules for Basswood, covering northern pike and sunfish. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.