Hobson

St. Louis County

Near Lavinia (St. Louis)

DOW: 69092300

Black CrappieGood · 73Yellow PerchGood · 70Northern PikeGood · 69

A 67-acre lake near Lavinia (St. Louis) in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1985.

Fish Species (9)

Black Crappie

Good · 73

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.35 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	2.00	-	0.35 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 8, 1985	1.00	-	0.33 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 4, 1982	1.00	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 12.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	1.00	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 8, 1985	12.33	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1982	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.52 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	2.00	-	3.52 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1982	6.00	-	2.19 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1982	0.50	-	1.75 lbs	Standard trap nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.3–1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	0.67	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1982	0.67	-	1.65 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	1.33	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1982	0.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 4, 1982	0.33	-	2.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 44

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 19.8 per trap net · typical 4.3–34.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	19.75	-	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 8, 1985	9.67	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1982	22.75	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 40

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	1.50	-	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 4, 1982	2.00	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1982	3.25	-	0.12 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.

Golden Shiner

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 4.7 per gill net · typical 0.3–4.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	4.67	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1982	5.33	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 57

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.34 lbs

Catch rate: 4.7 per gill net · typical 1.2–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 8, 1985	4.67	-	1.34 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 8, 1985	1.00	-	2.62 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 4, 1982	3.33	-	0.90 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).

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

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

Biologist Notes

August 8, 1985ALL SPECIES ABOVE LOCAL MEDIANS.

ALL SPECIES ABOVE LOCAL MEDIANS.

August 4, 1982N Pike and Bluegill pop. are at a fairly high lvl. All other fish pop. are within normal limits for this type of lk. Natural reproduction appears adeq…

N Pike and Bluegill pop. are at a fairly high lvl. All other fish pop. are within normal limits for this type of lk. Natural reproduction appears adequate to maintain pop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Hobson?

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

Is there public access at Hobson?

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

How deep is Hobson?

Hobson has a maximum depth of 42 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Hobson last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hobson is from 1985. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Hobson have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Hobson?

No — Hobson 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.