Variety

Cass County

Near Hackensack

DOW: 11046300

BluegillExcellent · 75PumpkinseedGood · 68Black CrappieGood · 68

A 160-acre lake near Hackensack in Cass County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1987.

Fish Species (11)

Bluegill

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.28 lbs

Catch rate: 52.7 per trap net · typical 6.1–46.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	52.71	-	0.28 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 6, 1987	0.60	-	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1967	53.60	-	0.19 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 68

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 4.7 per trap net · typical 2–8.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	4.71	-	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1967	2.33	-	0.24 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1967	31.40	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 68

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 5.6 per trap net · typical 0.7–3.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	1.00	-	0.16 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 6, 1987	5.57	-	0.29 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1967	2.00	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Good · 58

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.57 lbs

Catch rate: 20.4 per gill net · typical 3.5–10.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	20.40	-	1.57 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 6, 1987	1.29	-	0.78 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1967	6.67	-	3.52 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.57 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	0.57	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1967	2.67	-	1.25 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1967	0.60	-	0.33 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 49

Typical numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.57 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	0.57	-	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Average · 46

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1967

Last surveyed 1967 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

9.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 1.3–5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1967	0.33	-	9.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 36

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 5.6 per gill net · typical 3.4–43.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	4.29	-	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 6, 1987	5.60	-	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1967	29.00	-	0.13 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

Good · 62

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.63 lbs

Catch rate: 2.1 per trap net · typical 0.4–2.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	3.60	-	0.47 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 6, 1987	2.14	-	0.63 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1967	0.60	-	0.70 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 60

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.93 lbs

Catch rate: 0.6 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	0.60	-	2.93 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1967	1.00	-	1.94 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1967	2.00	-	1.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Bullhead

Average · 38

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1987

Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.51 lbs

Catch rate: 1.1 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 1987	1.14	-	0.51 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1967	0.67	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1967	15.40	-	0.43 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

July 6, 1987The gillnet catch of northern pike (20.4/GN) indicates a high population. The 1981 and 1967 assessments catch of northern pike were 7.8 and 14.3 respe…

The gillnet catch of northern pike (20.4/GN) indicates a high population. The 1981 and 1967 assessments catch of northern pike were 7.8 and 14.3 respectively. Quality size fish were present and growth rates were good. The bulk of northern pike ranged in length from 16 to 21 inches.The trapnet catch of bluegill was quite high at 52.7/TN. Their growth rate was about average, though many quality size bluegill were present in the sample. These are all old fish (greater than 8 years). Black crappie numbers were good and they exhibit good growth rates. Four year-classes of black crappie were present.

July 24, 1967Variety Lake is located six miles west of Hackensack in west-central Cass County. Variety Lake is 145 acres, has 2.3 miles of shoreline, and a maximum…

Variety Lake is located six miles west of Hackensack in west-central Cass County. Variety Lake is 145 acres, has 2.3 miles of shoreline, and a maximum depth of 29 feet. Variety Lake is the source of the Pine River. Shoal water soils are 10% boulder, 40% sand, and 50% muck. The secchi disc reading was 10 feet and the water appeared to be clear. The total alkalinity was 135 p.p.m. Several emergent and submerged aquatic plants were found in Variety Lake. The density rating was high (moderate) for most of the submerged and floating-leaved aquatic plants.Test netting indicated a good population of northern pike, yellow perch, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill, and largemouth bass. The spawning areas for northern pike and centrarchids are good. A high percentage of the northern pike, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, and bluegill were infected with black grub (Neascus). Yellow perch were the only species examined that contained yellow grub (Clinostomum marginatum).

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Variety?

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

Is there public access at Variety?

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

How deep is Variety?

Variety has a maximum depth of 29 feet and a mean depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Variety last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Variety is from 1987. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.