Arrowhead

Northern pike were sampled in high numbers at 21.0/net. Average length was 20.5", with 13% measuring 26" or larger. Fish up to 32.9" were sampled. Walleyes are not stocked into Arrowhead but are stocked annually as fry and every other year as fingerlings into the Whitefish Chain. Only one Walleye measuring 26.3" was caught in 2024. Largemouth Bass electrofishing was conducted at various stations across the Whitefish Chain of Lakes, resulting in a combined catch rate of 44.9/hour. Average length was 13.1" and 65% were over 12", with fish up to 19.2" sampled. Black Crappies were sampled in average numbers in gill nets (2.3/net) and below average numbers in trap nets (0.3/net). Size was nice in both, with an average length of 11.2" in gill nets and 12.2" in trap nets. With both gears combined, all the fish were at least 10.0" in length. Black crappies up to 13.7" were sampled. This is a large increase in size from the previous survey in 2018. This could be due to the survey being conducted in early June, when panfish are still in shallow water post-spawn. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers in trap nets at 15.5/net. Average length was 6.4" with 34% at least 7.0" and 15% at least 8" in length. Fish over 10 inches were present, indicating high size quality. A special regulation on the Whitefish Chain reduced the daily limit of Sunfish and Crappie to 5 of each in 2021.

Arrowhead Lake is a 296 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 13', located 35 miles north of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. Arrowhead is located in the Pine River watershed. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The survey took place on August 17, 2018, with all 10 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at 5 stations and the 50' 1/8th inch seine was not used. Heavy vegetation and/or soft bottom prevented the use of seines at the other 5 sampling sites. Thirteen species were sampled, including Iowa darter, which is intolerant of habitat disturbance. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey conducted on June 4-5, 2018 to calculate a Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health by the types of fish species present and comparing it to what is expected for this type of lake.

Walleyes are not stocked into Arrowhead, but are stocked annually as fry and every other year as fingerlings into the Whitefish Chain. Walleyes can move through the chain and into Arrowhead. The gill net catch of 3.0 was average when compared to similar lakes. Walleyes ranged in length from 16.5" to 27.4" with an average length of 19.7". Northern pike were sampled in high numbers at 17.7/ gill net. Most were on the smaller side with an average length of 18.4". Only one fish measured at least 24.0" or larger. Lakes in this part of the state have a new northern pike regulation enacted in 2018: possession limit of 10 with not more than 2 over 26". All from 22"-26" must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information. Largemouth bass electrofishing was done across the Whitefish Chain of Lakes resulting in a combined catch rate of 68.8/hr run-time. Average length was 13.5". Five smallmouth bass were also netted while electrofishing. All but one were over 17". Black crappies were sampled in average numbers in both gill nets (4.7/net) and trap nets (1.0/net). Average length was 9.1" in gill nets and 7.5" in trap nets. For both gears combined 54% measured at least 8.0" in length. Black crappies up to 12.4" were sampled. Bluegills were sampled in average numbers in trap nets at 18.7/net. Average length was 6.9" with 46% at least 7.0" in length. Yellow perch were sampled in average numbers in gill nets at 21.0/net. Average length was 7.1". Some perch were large enough to be of interest to anglers, with 16% measuring at least 9.0" in length. Arrowhead Lake is designated as AIS (aquatic invasive species) infested waters because of zebra mussels. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

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

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

Arrowhead has a maximum depth of 13 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Arrowhead is from 2024.

Yes — Arrowhead has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.