Gilbert

Douglas County

Near Holmes City

DOW: 21018900

Largemouth BassExcellent · 92Northern PikeExcellent · 78Green SunfishGood · 73

A 202-acre lake near Holmes City in Douglas County — best known for bass and pike. Last surveyed 2016.

Fish Species (16)

Largemouth Bass

Excellent · 92

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.5"

Avg Weight

0.45 lbs

Catch rate: 88.4 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable largemouth bass95% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 5%Largest sampled 14"

Size from the Apr 2022 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 26, 2022	5.00	12.5"	1.11 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Apr 26, 2022	2.00	12.5"	1.34 lbs	3/8-in trap nets
Jul 11, 2016	88.41	9.5"	0.45 lbs	Standard electrofishing

Northern Pike

Excellent · 78

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

21.3"

Avg Weight

2.39 lbs

Catch rate: 10.7 per gill net · typical 2–10.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike35% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 65%Largest sampled 30"

Size from the Apr 2022 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 26, 2022	6.67	22.0"	2.74 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Apr 26, 2022	3.00	22.0"	2.08 lbs	3/8-in trap nets
Apr 22, 2019	1.33	19.8"	1.71 lbs	Single-frame trap nets

Green Sunfish

Good · 73

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.8"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 13.9 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable green sunfish14% keeper-size (7"+)

3–6" · 86%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 2002	13.89	4.8"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1996	1.22	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1996	0.50	-	-	Survey seining

Yellow Perch

Good · 63

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.3"

Avg Weight

0.26 lbs

Catch rate: 34.8 per gill net · typical 2–22.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch9% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 91%Largest sampled 9"

Size from the Apr 2022 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 26, 2022	6.00	5.0"	0.11 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Apr 26, 2022	24.00	5.0"	0.05 lbs	3/8-in trap nets
Apr 22, 2019	0.33	6.0"	0.10 lbs	Single-frame trap nets

Walleye

Good · 54

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

12.5"

Avg Weight

0.67 lbs

Catch rate: 4.2 per gill net · typical 0.8–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 26, 2022	1.33	18.8"	2.48 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Jul 11, 2016	4.17	12.5"	0.67 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 2016	0.11	12.5"	1.11 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 43

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2007

Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.3"

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 0.44 per trap net · typical 0.7–6.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 2007	0.44	5.3"	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 2002	15.89	4.1"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 28, 1983	1.25	-	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 41

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per trap net · typical 3.5–57.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill17% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 83%Largest sampled 8"

Size from the Apr 2022 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 26, 2022	2.67	5.2"	0.13 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Apr 26, 2022	26.50	5.2"	0.09 lbs	3/8-in trap nets
Jul 11, 2016	6.67	5.6"	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Average · 39

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.9"

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 17.7 per trap net · typical 2.1–24.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie3% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 97%Largest sampled 10"

Size from the Apr 2022 survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 26, 2022	3.67	5.1"	0.21 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Apr 26, 2022	39.00	5.1"	0.04 lbs	3/8-in trap nets
Jul 11, 2016	15.00	6.9"	0.23 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 25

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1983

Last surveyed 1983 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 28, 1983	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (7)

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

Common Carp

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.5"

Avg Weight

2.54 lbs

Catch rate: 4.7 per gill net · typical 0.8–4.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2016	4.67	18.5"	2.54 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 2016	3.33	18.5"	4.21 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 9, 2007	3.44	15.6"	3.66 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 48

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.8"

Avg Weight

0.32 lbs

Catch rate: 9.2 per trap net · typical 1.5–58 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
May 3, 2023	0.50	5.0"	0.06 lbs	3/8-in trap nets
Apr 22, 2019	2.00	8.5"	0.42 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Jul 11, 2016	9.22	7.8"	0.32 lbs	Standard trap nets

Golden Shiner

Poor · 23

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 0.6–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 22, 2019	0.33	4.5"	0.09 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Apr 22, 2019	0.50	4.5"	0.01 lbs	3/8-in trap nets
Jul 11, 2016	0.17	5.6"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2022

Avg Size

8.3"

Avg Weight

0.34 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 26, 2022	4.67	8.3"	0.39 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Apr 26, 2022	4.00	8.3"	0.34 lbs	3/8-in trap nets

White Sucker

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2022

Avg Size

15.0"

Avg Weight

1.51 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Apr 26, 2022	1.00	15.0"	1.51 lbs	Single-frame trap nets
Jun 28, 1983	1.12	-	1.78 lbs	Standard trap nets

Fathead Minnow

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 111.3 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1996	111.25	-	-	Survey seining

Johnny Darter

Insufficient

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 0.5 · Seining survey

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1996	0.50	-	-	Survey seining

Biologist Notes

May 3, 2023This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2022-2023 winter. Trap netting results suggested winterkill…

This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2022-2023 winter. Trap netting results suggested winterkill severity was high. One Black Bullhead and three Central Mudminnows were the only fishes sampled. No gamefish species were collected. Walleye fry and adult Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass were stocked in spring 2023 to help restore this fishery.

April 26, 2022This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2021-2022 winter. Early-spring trap netting results suggeste…

This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2021-2022 winter. Early-spring trap netting results suggested that winterkill severity was low and restorative stockings were not warranted. Gamefish species present included Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch.

April 22, 2019This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2018-2019 winter. Survey components included late-winter wat…

This targeted survey was completed to determine extent of winterkill following the severe 2018-2019 winter. Survey components included late-winter water quality measurement and early-spring trap netting. Late-winter dissolved oxygen readings were low, which indicated gamefish losses due to winterkill were likely. Trap netting results and abundance of dead fish along the shoreline suggested that winterkill was severe and restorative stockings were warranted. The only gamefishes captured were four Northern Pike and one Yellow Perch. Restorative stockings of Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Yellow Perch were completed during spring 2019. In absence of future winterkill events, fishable populations for these species likely won't become established until 2021 or later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Gilbert?

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

Is there public access at Gilbert?

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

How deep is Gilbert?

Gilbert has a maximum depth of 17 feet and a mean depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Gilbert last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Gilbert is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.