Deep

Ramsey County

Near North Oaks

DOW: 62001800

Black CrappieGood · 72Channel CatfishGood · 70White CrappieGood · 68

A 72-acre lake near North Oaks in Ramsey County — best known for panfish and catfish. Last surveyed 1995.

Fish Species (21)

Black Crappie

Good · 72

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.9"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 31.9 per trap net · typical 1.3–27.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie24% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 76%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	31.89	5.9"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 12, 1995	10.50	5.9"	0.21 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1984	32.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Channel Catfish

Good · 70

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.8"

Avg Weight

2.87 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	1.50	17.8"	2.87 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1995	0.56	17.8"	1.29 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Crappie

Good · 68

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.9"

Avg Weight

0.46 lbs

Catch rate: 2.2 per trap net · typical 0.3–8.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable white crappie47% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 53%Largest sampled 14"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	2.22	7.9"	0.46 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1984	3.00	-	0.34 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 18, 1979	1.25	-	0.55 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 64

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.3"

Avg Weight

2.63 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 2.3–17.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye94% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 6%Largest sampled 25"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	2.50	19.3"	2.63 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1995	1.22	19.3"	2.48 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 44

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

21.4"

Avg Weight

2.94 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike13% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 87%Largest sampled 29"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	2.50	21.4"	2.94 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1995	0.33	21.4"	2.05 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 44

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.8–9.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1984	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 25

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.4"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 19.6 per trap net · typical 2.8–43.3 for a lake like this

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

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	115.50	4.4"	-	Survey seining
Jul 12, 1995	19.56	4.4"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1984	15.75	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 24

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.8"

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 0.44 per trap net · typical 0.4–3.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.44	4.8"	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1984	4.00	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Green Sunfish

Poor · 23

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.0"

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net · typical 0.4–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.22	4.0"	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Poor · 23

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.22	6.5"	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1984	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 18, 1979	1.00	-	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets

Muskellunge

Poor · 10

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

36.5"

Avg Weight

8.18 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net

Size of catchable muskellunge0% keeper-size (40"+)

30–39" · 100%Largest sampled 39"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.50	36.5"	8.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1995	0.33	36.5"	10.96 lbs	Standard trap nets

Smallmouth Bass

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.0"

Avg Weight

3.44 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.11	19.0"	3.44 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.3"

Catch rate: 3.5 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	3.50	6.3"	-	Survey seining
Jul 12, 1995	0.33	6.3"	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1984	0.25	-	4.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (8)

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

Common Carp

Good · 58

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.9"

Avg Weight

4.03 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 1.5–11.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	2.00	19.9"	-	Survey seining
Jul 12, 1995	2.00	19.9"	4.03 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1995	0.89	19.9"	3.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

16.0"

Avg Weight

1.97 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net · typical 0.2–2.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.22	16.0"	1.97 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 18, 1979	0.25	-	3.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Shorthead Redhorse

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

16.0"

Avg Weight

1.77 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 7.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.11	16.0"	1.77 lbs	Standard trap nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 49

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.54 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 0.2–6.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1984	1.75	-	0.54 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 18, 1979	0.25	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 38

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

10.0"

Avg Weight

0.93 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 2.5–70.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.50	10.0"	0.42 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 12, 1995	0.11	10.0"	0.93 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1984	3.25	-	0.36 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 33

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.3–4.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 16, 1984	0.25	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 18, 1979	1.00	-	0.57 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Poor · 20

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net · typical 0.4–3.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	0.22	5.0"	0.05 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 16, 1984	2.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 18, 1979	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluntnose Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 35.0 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 12, 1995	35.00	-	-	Survey seining

See the best black crappie lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Special regulations on this lake

DNR special regulations override the statewide limits.

All species — lake-wide
Closed to fishing.

Statewide limits

Statewide limits — apply unless a special regulation above overrides them.

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).

Muskellunge

Season: Jun 6, 2026 – Nov 30, 2026

1, minimum size 54"

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)

Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

Smallmouth Bass

Season: Sep 14, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Smallmouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

Channel Catfish

5, only 1 fish over 24"

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 12, 1995Sunfish and crappies dominated the catch, with black crappie and bluegill the most abundant. Moderate numbers of walleye, northern pike, channel catfi…

Sunfish and crappies dominated the catch, with black crappie and bluegill the most abundant. Moderate numbers of walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, muskellunge, and bowfin were present. Low numbers of largemouth bass, carp, white bass, yellow perch, bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, golden shiner, and shorthead redhorse were also sampled.

July 16, 1984Carp, black and yellow bullheads, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish were found at below local median numbers. Bowfin, golden shiner, brown bul…

Carp, black and yellow bullheads, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish were found at below local median numbers. Bowfin, golden shiner, brown bullhead, yellow perch, white crappie, and black crappie were sampled in numbers equal to or greater than the local median trapnet indices. Largemouth bass are present at approximately the local median level, but no young-of-the-year bass were sampled.

July 18, 1979Carp, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish are the only species of fish taken in numbers above the local median trap net catch. Other species present include…

Carp, bluegill, and hybrid sunfish are the only species of fish taken in numbers above the local median trap net catch. Other species present include white suckers, black, yellow, and brown bullhead, black and white crappie, and golden shiner all of which were found in relatively low numbers.Management Recommendations: carp are very high in numbers. Their removal is recommended, the best method for which may be by means of a trap in the Pleasant-Deep Lake Channel. No other fisheries management is recommended at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Deep?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, White Crappie, Walleye, and Northern Pike in Deep. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Deep?

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

How deep is Deep?

Deep has a maximum depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Deep last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Deep is from 1995. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Deep have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Deep?

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Deep. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.