Pistol

Cass County

Near Outing

DOW: 11011000

Northern PikeGood · 67Yellow PerchGood · 66PumpkinseedPoor · 24

A 74-acre lake near Outing in Cass County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1967.

Fish Species (6)

Northern Pike

Good · 67

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.97 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 4.5–11.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 23, 1967	6.00	-	2.97 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 23, 1967	1.00	-	1.47 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 66

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.36 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–24.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 23, 1967	0.67	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 23, 1967	4.00	-	0.36 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 24

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 1.7–10.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 23, 1967	0.33	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (3)

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

Brown Bullhead

Excellent · 78

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.36 lbs

Catch rate: 25.7 per trap net · typical 1.1–9.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 23, 1967	27.00	-	0.29 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 23, 1967	25.67	-	0.36 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 58

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.62 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 1–3.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 23, 1967	2.50	-	1.62 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 46

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 2.1–15.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 23, 1967	1.00	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

August 23, 1967Pistol Lake is seven miles west of Outing in southern Cass County. Pistol Lake is 73 acres, has 1.6 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 20 feet.…

Pistol Lake is seven miles west of Outing in southern Cass County. Pistol Lake is 73 acres, has 1.6 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 20 feet. The littoral area comprises 86% of the total lake area; frequent, partial winterkills result because of this large littoral area. Shoal water soils are 90% muck and 10% sand. Secchi reading was 4 feet. Total alkalinity was 42.5 p.p.m. Several emergent and sumberged aquatic plants were found, and the density ratings range from sparse to moderate.Test netting indicated a good fish population of northern pike and brown bullhead. Spawning habitat was good for northern pike and was poor for centrarchids. Black grub (Neascus spp.) was the only parasite found; northern pike and yellow perch, only species infected, had a high infection of Neascus spp.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Pistol?

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

Is there public access at Pistol?

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

How deep is Pistol?

Pistol has a maximum depth of 20 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Pistol last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pistol is from 1967. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.