Bass

Bass Lake is a 204-acre, class-29 lake located in northeastern Becker County approximately 10 miles north of Ponsford, MN. The lake lies within the boundaries of the White Earth Indian Reservation and is within the Mississippi River watershed. The lake's shoreline is lightly developed, with ten homes or cottages and one small resort. The public access is county-owned and has very limited parking. Shoal areas are heavily vegetated with muskgrass, bushy pondweeds, and yellow and white waterlilies. A standard fisheries survey was completed in July 2025 to assess the fish populations in Bass Lake. Anglers will find a decent number of Northern Pike in Bass Lake and these fish are better than averaged sized compared to other lakes in the Detroit Lakes work area. The catch rate of Northern Pike in the 2025 survey was the third highest observed at Bass Lake. The average size of the pike captured was 24.5 inches and the longest was 32 inches. Walleye numbers were the highest ever recorded at the lake with 5.5 Walleye per gill net. Average size was quite good with almost 94% of the Walleye captured in 2025 being over 15 inches and 45% were over 20 inches. Bluegill numbers were high for the lake and most of the fish were small. No fish over eight inches were caught in trap nets and 98% of the fish were less than seven inches. The longest Bluegill measured was just below eight inches. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers in the trap nets, which is often the case with this sampling gear. Black Crappie up to 13.5 inches were measured and Largemouth Bass up to 16 inches were captured. Other fish species observed were Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.

A Targeted Survey was completed on Bass Lake on July 5th and 6th, 2017 to assess the near-shore fish population. This data will be analyzed in conjunction with the standard survey completed in 2016 to provide a complete assessment of the fish community that will be used to evaluate the biological condition of Bass Lake, and contribute to the assessment of the watershed. Shoreline seining and backpack-electrofishing were used to sample fish species at ten sights around Bass Lake. Species sampled with these gear types are not commonly sampled by gill nets and trap nets, which are used during standard surveys. A good mix of species that require different habitat conditions were sampled in Bass Lake during this assessment. Species sampled that are intolerant of poor habitat conditions include Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Pugnose Shiner and Rock Bass. Other species sampled include Banded Killifish, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Central Mudminnow, Fathead Minnow, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Tadpole Madtom, and Yellow Perch. Preservation of aquatic habitat and the use of best management practices for any future development may help maintain the natural habitat that is currently present in Bass Lake.

Bass Lake is a small, lightly-developed lake in northeastern Becker County. The county-owned boat access has limited parking for one or two rigs. Ecologically, the lake is best suited for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. These species are self-sustaining in Bass Lake and have maintained relatively stable populations by natural reproduction. Conversely, Walleyes have little or no good spawning habitat in this lake and they require stocking to maintain the fishery. Although Walleyes have never been considered abundant in Bass Lake, a modest population has been sustained by fingerling stocking. Currently, sampled Walleyes average just under two pounds each. Northern Pike also averaged slightly less than two pounds in 2014. Just one pike over thirty-inches long was sampled in Bass Lake in 2014. Test net catches of Black Crappie have not changed significantly during the past two decades, Bluegill numbers are holding their own near the lake's normal range and Largemouth Bass are present in modest numbers. Bluegills are slow growing in this lake but a few over eight inches in length were sampled in 2014. Black Crappies grow at more normal rates and a wide range of sizes was found up to and over the one pound range. Being small, Bass Lake has a fishery that is susceptible to development related pressures, including overharvest. Fish populations that are heavily exploited tend to be made up of fish that are smaller than what would be considered "keepers." In other words, fish are cropped off as soon as they reach an acceptable size. Anglers are encouraged to release a portion of the medium and larger fish caught in order to maintain a more balanced fish community and provide the opportunity to catch large fish in the future. Release of Northern Pike twenty- four inches or larger is recommended.

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

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

Bass has a maximum depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 2025.

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