Headquarters

St. Louis County

Near Gowan

DOW: 69076600

Yellow PerchGood · 64PumpkinseedGood · 51Northern PikeAverage · 45

A 66-acre lake near Gowan in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1975.

Fish Species (5)

Yellow Perch

Good · 64

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1975

Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.52 lbs

Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 4.5–19 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1975	1.00	-	0.62 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 22, 1975	5.00	-	0.52 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1975

Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.22 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.7–3.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1975	0.75	-	0.22 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 45

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1975

Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.82 lbs

Catch rate: 11.5 per gill net · typical 3–8.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1975	11.50	-	0.82 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1975	1.25	-	2.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

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

Black Bullhead

Good · 66

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1975

Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 43.3 per trap net · typical 0.8–24.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1975	16.50	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1975	43.25	-	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Average · 38

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1975

Last surveyed 1975 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 3.5 per gill net · typical 2–11.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 22, 1975	3.50	-	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 22, 1975	5.50	-	1.49 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best yellow perch 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

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

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

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

August 22, 1975(N Pike were very light in color.

(N Pike were very light in color.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Headquarters?

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

Is there public access at Headquarters?

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

How deep is Headquarters?

Headquarters has a maximum depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Headquarters last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Headquarters is from 1975. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Headquarters have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Headquarters?

No — Headquarters 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.