Bass

Aitkin County

Near McGregor

DOW: 01007300

Northern PikeGood · 64Rock BassAverage · 35Largemouth BassAverage · 31

A 57-acre lake near McGregor in Aitkin County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2001.

Fish Species (13)

Northern Pike

Good · 64

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

27.0"

Avg Weight

6.64 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike67% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 33%Largest sampled 31"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 2001	0.25	27.0"	6.64 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 2, 2001	0.22	27.0"	4.79 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 1988	0.38	-	1.57 lbs	Standard trap nets

Rock Bass

Average · 35

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.31 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 2001	0.22	6.5"	0.31 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 28, 1993	0.67	5.2"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 1988	0.12	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 31

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.0"

Avg Weight

0.39 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 2001	0.25	9.0"	0.39 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 28, 1993	6.00	1.5"	0.02 lbs	Survey seining

Yellow Perch

Average · 28

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 6.8 per gill net · typical 1.5–18.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 2001	0.22	5.6"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 2, 2001	6.75	5.6"	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 28, 1993	2.67	5.7"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 27

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 25.4 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 2001	25.44	4.3"	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 2, 2001	0.50	4.3"	0.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 28, 1993	63.67	4.7"	0.07 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Poor · 23

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.31 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 28, 1993	0.22	6.5"	0.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Poor · 23

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.5"

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 1.9 per trap net · typical 1–6.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 2001	0.25	7.5"	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 2, 2001	1.89	7.5"	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 28, 1993	6.33	5.6"	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 21

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.5"

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 1.1–4.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 5"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 2001	1.33	3.5"	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 28, 1993	1.22	5.2"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 1988	1.25	-	0.24 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (5)

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

White Sucker

Good · 63

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 28, 1993	0.11	21.0"	4.38 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 8, 1982	0.50	-	3.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 57

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.82 lbs

Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 29, 1988	1.38	-	0.82 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 1988	0.25	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 8, 1982	0.17	-	1.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 41

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2001

Last surveyed 2001 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.9"

Avg Weight

0.68 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net · typical 2–8.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 2001	1.00	9.9"	0.68 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 28, 1993	0.11	9.0"	0.47 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 29, 1988	0.25	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 41

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Avg Size

10.0"

Avg Weight

0.83 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 28, 1993	0.11	10.0"	0.83 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jun 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 0.33 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 28, 1993	0.33	-	-	Survey seining
Jul 8, 1982	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

August 1, 2025A temperature-dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on 8/1/2025 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TDO3 (temp…

A temperature-dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on 8/1/2025 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The TDO3 (temperature at 3 mg/l dissolved oxygen) was determined to be 20.2, 18.0, and 6.4 degrees C at various depths, which is considered good for Tullibee survival. While water from the surface to about 6 feet was warm, overall oxy-thermal habitat was adequate for Tullibee from 8 to approximately 42 feet deep. The 2025 profile appeared more suitable for Tullibee survival when compared to the previous survey in 2016, where oxy-thermal habitat was limited from the surface to approximately 10 feet deep and again from 18 to 36 feet. When compared to other lakes in the Aitkin area monitored for Tullibee habitat, Bass Lake provides "good" or "marginal" habitat depending on the year and severity of the summer conditions. Because the area is located near the southern edge of Minnesota's Tullibee range, TDO profiles should continue to be collected to monitor the availability of cold-water habitat.

August 22, 2016A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on August 22, 2016 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for tullibee and to…

A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on August 22, 2016 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for tullibee and to evaluate for possible stream trout management. The TDO3 (temperature at 3 mg/l dissolved oxygen) was determined to be 21 degrees C. The water was warm from the surface to 11 feet deep, the overall oxy-thermal habitat was limited for tullibee from the surface to about 10 feet deep and again from 18 to 36 feet. The lake provides only marginal habitat compared to other lakes in Aitkin area that are monitored for tullibee habitat, and would be unsuitable for stream trout management due to the low oxygen levels below 10 feet.

August 22, 2016A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected on August 22, 2016 to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for tullibee and to…

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Bass?

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

Is there public access at Bass?

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

How deep is Bass?

Bass has a maximum depth of 58 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Bass last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 2001. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.