Cutaway

Aitkin County

Near Balsam

DOW: 01005600

Black CrappieGood · 53WalleyeGood · 51Rock BassGood · 50

A 113-acre lake near Balsam in Aitkin County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1988.

Fish Species (11)

Black Crappie

Good · 53

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 3.8 per trap net · typical 1.1–10.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	2.00	-	0.23 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1988	3.75	-	0.29 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1971

Last surveyed 1971 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 3, 1971	1.00	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 3, 1971	0.80	-	1.57 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Good · 50

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.70 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.4–0.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	0.25	-	0.70 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 3, 1971	0.20	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 49

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	0.25	-	0.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 46

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 1.5–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	0.33	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1988	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 3, 1971	2.80	-	0.21 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 41

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.24 lbs

Catch rate: 5.7 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	1.25	-	1.02 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 18, 1988	5.67	-	1.24 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 3, 1971	1.80	-	1.87 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 34

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	1.33	-	0.23 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1988	1.50	-	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 3, 1971	0.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (4)

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

Black Bullhead

Good · 68

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 24.5 per trap net · typical 0.9–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	42.33	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1988	24.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 66

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.38 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	2.00	-	1.38 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1988	1.75	-	1.60 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 3, 1971	1.00	-	1.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 49

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.62 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 0.5–10 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	1.67	-	0.32 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1988	1.00	-	0.62 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 37

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.57 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 1.8–9.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1988	1.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1988	1.00	-	0.57 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 3, 1971	20.60	-	0.36 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

August 18, 1988The gillnet index for northern pike is above the third regional quartile. The gillnet index for yellow perch is below the first regional quartile. The…

The gillnet index for northern pike is above the third regional quartile. The gillnet index for yellow perch is below the first regional quartile. The trap net index for black bullheads is above the third regional quartile. Trap net indices for yellow bullheads, rock bass and bluegill are below their first regional quartiles. Northern pike ranged from one to three years of age. The second and third growth increments were faster than normal. Growth during the first growth increment was normal. Black crappie ranged from two to four years of age. Growth rates were normal. The gillnet index for yellow perch indicate a significant decrease in abundance since the last survey based on two gillnet sets.

September 3, 1971Good northern pike population and supposedly a good crappie population.

Good northern pike population and supposedly a good crappie population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Cutaway?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Walleye, Rock Bass, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch in Cutaway. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Cutaway?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Cutaway. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Cutaway?

Cutaway has a maximum depth of 24 feet and a mean depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Cutaway last surveyed?

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