Yates

St. Louis County

Near Kinney

DOW: 69078000

Black CrappieAverage · 37Northern PikeAverage · 29

A 20-acre lake near Kinney in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1980.

Fish Species (4)

Black Crappie

Average · 37

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Oct 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.6–5.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Oct 14, 1980	0.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 29

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Oct 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.54 lbs

Catch rate: 3.5 per gill net · typical 1.2–5.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Oct 14, 1980	3.50	-	0.54 lbs	Standard gill nets
Oct 14, 1980	0.67	-	0.60 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.

White Sucker

Good · 60

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Oct 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.38 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 1.6–7.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Oct 14, 1980	2.50	-	2.38 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 54

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Oct 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.31 lbs

Catch rate: 2.7 per trap net · typical 0.4–2.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Oct 14, 1980	2.67	-	0.31 lbs	Standard trap nets
Oct 14, 1980	10.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best black crappie 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).

Crappie

10 combined total

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

October 14, 1980(the culvert at the outlet thereby causing the (water level to rise. This creek is small and (flows into Kinney Lake but it could be a source (of repo…

(the culvert at the outlet thereby causing the (water level to rise. This creek is small and (flows into Kinney Lake but it could be a source (of repopulation by N Pike and Suckers in the (spring. The avg. depth of the lake is about (30' and appears to have a volume of about 480 (acre-feet. Some of the fish apparently have (been introduced by local people.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Yates?

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

Is there public access at Yates?

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

How deep is Yates?

Yates has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Yates last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Yates is from 1980. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Yates have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Yates?

No — Yates has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.