Bootleg

St. Louis County

Near Burntside Lake

DOW: 69045200

Northern PikeExcellent · 76Yellow PerchGood · 71Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 347-acre lake near Burntside Lake in St. Louis County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1988.

Fish Species (7)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 76

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.46 lbs

Catch rate: 4.5 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1988	4.50	-	3.46 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 71

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.26 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1988	4.00	-	0.26 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1988	0.75	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Average · 49

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 3.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1988	3.50	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1988	2.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1988	0.25	-	0.10 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 · 58

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.42 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net · typical 1.2–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 8, 1988	8.00	-	0.42 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

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 8, 1988White sucker and rock bass are present in above average numbers; northern pike and yellow perch are present in average numbers. Bluegill and hybrid su…

White sucker and rock bass are present in above average numbers; northern pike and yellow perch are present in average numbers. Bluegill and hybrid sunfish and largemouth bass are also present. Bluegill and yellow perch recruitment is erratic. Bluegill growth is slow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Bootleg?

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

Is there public access at Bootleg?

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

How deep is Bootleg?

Bootleg has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Bootleg last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bootleg is from 1988. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Bootleg have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Bootleg?

No — Bootleg has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.