Little Crab

St. Louis County

Near Burntside Lake

DOW: 69029600

Northern PikeGood · 74Largemouth BassGood · 50Smallmouth BassGood · 50

A 63-acre lake near Burntside Lake in St. Louis County — best known for pike and bass. Last surveyed 1978.

Fish Species (5)

Northern Pike

Good · 74

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.25 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 3–9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1978	5.00	-	3.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.75 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1978	0.33	-	1.75 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1978	0.33	-	1.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.4–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1978	0.33	-	0.50 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

Average · 36

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.40 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 5.3–22.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1978	4.00	-	1.40 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.

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

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

July 20, 1978Consists of above average populations of northern pike and sucker with average populations of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and rock bass.

Consists of above average populations of northern pike and sucker with average populations of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and rock bass.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Little Crab?

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

Is there public access at Little Crab?

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

How deep is Little Crab?

Little Crab has a maximum depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Little Crab last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Crab is from 1978. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Little Crab have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Little Crab?

No — Little Crab 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.