Thirteen

Lake Thirteen (DOW# 11-0488; Lake Class 27) is a 555-acre lake with 329 littoral acres, 3.9 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 50 feet located south of Cass Lake, MN. A US Forest Service owned public access is located on the southwest shoreline. A primitive campground is located along the southeast shoreline. Lake Thirteen is within both the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. The lake is co-managed Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) and the Leech Lake Band Ojibwe's Division of Resource Management (LLBO DRM). The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Walleye and secondarily for Yellow Perch. MNDNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Lake Thirteen is in lake class 27; it is large, deep, and regularly shaped. In 2014 a special regulation for Largemouth Bass was implemented (all 14-20 inches must be immediately released, 1 over 20 inches allowed in possession), followed by a special regulation for Sunfish (daily possession limit 5 fish) in 2017. Lake Thirteen is a great multi-species lake with potential to produce trophy size fish. Largemouth Bass were caught in moderate numbers with fish from 5 to 16 inches present. Management goals are based on electrofishing which was not conducted in 2025. Northern Pike abundance was above the maximum management goal and lengths ranged from 16 to 37 inches. Northern Pike size goals were not met in the 2025 survey. Bluegill catch rates were moderate and did not meet the management goal. Length based goals for Bluegills were partially met with fish ranging in length from 3 to 10 inches. Walleye abundance was below the management goal and ranged in length from 7 to 25 inches. Yellow Perch were sampled in low numbers, not meeting the management goal. Other fish species sampled include, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Lake Thirteen. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Lake Thirteen (DOW# 11-0488; Lake Class 27) is a 555-acre lake located south of Cass Lake, MN. A US Forest Service owned public access is located on the southwest shoreline. A primitive camp ground is located along the southeast shoreline. Lake Thirteen is within both the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. The entire shoreline is in public ownership with State of Minnesota and Chippewa National Forest parcels. Lake Thirteen has 3.9 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 50 feet. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Walleye and secondarily for Yellow Perch. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Lake Thirteen is in lake class 27; it is large, deep, and regularly shaped. In 2014 a special regulation for Largemouth Bass was implemented (all 14-20 inches must be immediately released, 1 over 20 inches allowed in possession), followed by a special regulation for Sunfish (Daily possession limit 5 fish) in 2017. Opportunities for excellent Largemouth Bass fishing exist. An electrofishing survey was completed to evaluate the existing bass regulation. Largemouth Bass abundance was within management goals and lengths ranged from 6 to 17 inches, with an average length of 12 inches. A 12-inch maximum length limit was implemented for Largemouth Bass in 2004. The regulation resulted in increased abundance without improvements in size structure, and the regulation was converted to a 14-20" protected slot limit, 1 over 20" in 2014. Since 2014 abundance has fluctuated but average length has not increased. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Lake Thirteen. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Lake Thirteen (DOW# 11-0488; Lake Class 27) is a 555-acre lake located near Cass Lake, MN. A US Forest Service owned public access with an earthen ramp and parking accommodating four to five vehicles is located on the south-west shoreline. A primitive camp ground is located along the south-east shoreline. Lake Thirteen is within both the boundaries of the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. The entire shoreline is in public ownership with State of Minnesota and Chippewa National Forest parcels. Lake Thirteen has 3.89 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 50 feet. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Walleye and secondarily for Yellow Perch. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Lake Thirteen is in lake class 27; large, deep, and regularly shaped. An electrofishing survey was completed to evaluate the Largemouth Bass special regulation of the immediate release of bass 14-20 inches with one over 20 inches allowed in possession. Largemouth Bass were abundant with 121 fish/hour captured and lengths ranged from 6 to 17 inches, with an average length of 12.4 inches. Lake Thirteen provides an exceptional angling opportunity for Largemouth Bass. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Lake Thirteen. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

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

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

Thirteen has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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