Bass

Bass Lake is a 203-acre lake located in Faribault County northwest of the city of Delavan. A public access is located on the northeast side of the lake, just off 400th Avenue. Bass Lake is a small basin with a maximum depth of 20 feet. The limnological (e.g., basin morphometry, depth, substrate type, water clarity, etc.) characteristics of Bass Lake place it in lake class 38. Other area lakes in this lake class include Duck (Blue Earth County), Horseshoe (Le Sueur County), and Hunt (Rice County). Bass Lake was surveyed the week of 3 June 2024 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This survey consisted of 8 trap nets, 4 gill nets, and 43 minutes of electrofishing to monitor the fish community. Bass Lake has been designated a Waterville Area Tier-2 lake and will be surveyed every 6 years, including spring day electrofishing to assess the Largemouth Bass population. Bass Lake has historically produced low numbers of medium sized Black Crappies. Since 1981, Black Crappie relative abundance has varied from 0.1/trap net in 2002 and 2013 to 65.6/trap net in 1993. Relative abundance of Black Crappie in 2024 was the second highest on record at 44.8/trap net, which was an increase from 2018 (16.3/trap net) and was above the third quartile for class 38 lakes (24.1/trap net). Black Crappies were also sampled with gill nets and were captured at a rate of 4.3/gill net, exceeding the lower quartile for class 38 lakes (1.7/gill net). Black Crappie scales and otoliths were used to estimate age and indicated the presence of 4 year classes in the Bass Lake sample (2015, 2019, 2021, and 2022). Age-2 (2022 year class) Black Crappies were the most abundant, accounting for 58% of Black Crappies sampled. Black Crappie size structure was small, PSD values in trap nets were 40 and PSD-P was 0, indicative of a sample dominated by young fish. Black Crappie ranged from 3.5 to 8.7 inches and averaged 4.3 inches in trap nets. PSD values in trap nets were 40 and PSD-P was 0. Gill nets sampled slightly larger Black Crappies that ranged from 4.1 to 14.8 inches and averaged 5.8 inches. Bluegill relative abundance has been variable in Bass Lake ranging from 0.2/trap net in 2013 to 109.2/trap net in 1993. Bluegills were sampled at a rate of 8.8/trap net in 2024. The 2024 catch rate was between the lower quartile (3.5/net) and the median (15.9/trap net) for class 38 lakes. Bluegills ranged from 3.4 to 9.9 inches in length and averaged 6.4 inches in 2024. Bluegill PSD was 64 and PSD-P was 6, indicating a small size structure. Only four year classes of Bluegill were sampled in 2024 (2015, 2020-2022). Most Bluegills aged (61%) were from the 2021 year class (age-3). This is a young population growing at a fast pace (6.8 inches at age-3). The relative abundance of Walleye in Bass lake has typically been around 5.0/gill net. During 2024 Walleye were sampled at the second highest on record - 10.5/gillnet. Relative abundance decreased from the 2018 survey catch rate of 13.0/gill net. The 2024 relative abundance of 10.5 Walleye per gill net was well above the 3rd quartile of 3.8/gill net for class 38 lakes. Walleye ages were estimated using scales and otoliths. Six year classes of Walleye were present (2016, 2018, 2020-2023). Walleye size structure was skewed toward smaller fish. PSD values of Walleye in gill nets was 18 and PSD-P was 15. Walleyes ranged from 8.3 to 24.4 inches and averaged 14.8 inches in gill nets. Another 16 Walleye were sampled in trap nets. These fish ranged from 11.5 to 26.9 inches and averaged 17.3 inches in length. Walleye growth was fast in Bass Lake as fish averaged 20 inches at age-3. Largemouth bass were assessed using day-time electrofishing. Relative abundance of Largemouth Bass was 4.2/hour on-time, which was far less than the 2018 sample (68.2/hour on-time). Bass lake was in a very clear water state during the electrofishing sample. Largemouth Bass were observed avoiding the electrofishing boat. Mean length of Largemouth Bass sampled in 2024 was 16.7 inches and ranged from 15.9 to 17.9 inches. Scales were used to estimate ages of Largemouth Bass, two year classes were sampled (2020, and 2021). Northern Pike have historically had a moderate relative abundance in Bass Lake. That trend continued in 2024 with a relative abundance of 2.3/gill net which was above the lower quartile (2.0/gill net) for class 38 lakes. Northern Pike sampled with gill nets ranged from 22.6 to 32.8 inches in length and averaged 26.7 inches. The PSD value was 100 and PSD-P value was 33. Approximately 63% of all Northern Pike sampled were larger than the 24-inch minimum size limit necessary to harvest Northern Pike in the Southern Minnesota zone. The 2024 Yellow Perch relative abundance (18.3/gill net) decreased slightly from 2018 (23.5/gill net) and was slightly below the 3rd quartile (22.3) for class 38 lakes. Yellow Perch exhibited fair size structure but no fish exceeding 10.0 inches. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5.5 to 9.8 inches and averaged 7.9 inches. Channel Catfish are listed as a secondary management species in Bass Lake. Three Channel Catfish were sampled in gillnets and three in trap nets during the 2024 survey. The fish ranged from 20.1 to 32.4 inches in length. Common Carp, White Crappie, White Sucker and Yellow Bullheads were also present but occurred in low numbers.

Bass Lake is a 203-acre lake located in Faribault County northwest of the city of Delavan. A public access is located on the northeast side of the lake, just off 400th Avenue. Bass Lake is a small basin with a maximum depth of 20 feet. A standard survey was performed the week of June 11, 2018 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A standard survey is used for sampling a wide range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). This survey consisted of trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing to monitor the fish community. Bass Lake has historically produced low numbers of medium sized Black Crappies. Black Crappie in 2018 were sampled at a rate of 16.3/trap net. Black Crappie were also sampled well with gill nets, and were captured at a rate of 18.0/gill net. Black Crappie scales and otoliths were used to estimate age and indicated the presence of 4 year classes in the Bass Lake sample (2014-2017). Age-3 (2015 year class) Black Crappies were the most abundant, accounting for 36% of Black Crappies sampled. Black Crappie size structure was small, indicative of a population dominated by young fish. Black Crappie ranged from 4.0 to 11.2 inches and averaged 6.9 inches in trap nets. Gill nets sampled slightly larger Black Crappies that ranged from 4.1 to 10.6 inches and averaged 8.1 inches. Bluegills were sampled at a rate of 23.4/trap net in 2018. Which was higher than the median (15.9/trap net) for similar lakes. Bluegills ranged from 2.7 to 8.8 inches in length and averaged 6.5 inches in 2018. Only four year classes of Bluegill were sampled in 2018. The majority of Bluegills aged (67%) were from the 2015 year class (age-3). Walleye in Bass lake have historically occurred at low numbers (4.3/gillnet). In 2018 Walleye were at an all-time high of 13.0/gillnet. Walleye ages were estimated using scales and otoliths. Six year classes of walleye were present (2004, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016). Walleye in Bass Lake were large and ranged from 16.0 to 27.2 inches while averaging 20.3 inches in gill nets. Walleye growth was fast in Bass Lake as fish averaged 17.0 inches at age-2 and 19.8 inches at age-4. Largemouth bass were assessed using day-time electrofishing. Relative abundance of Largemouth Bass was 68.2/hour. Average length of Largemouth Bass sampled in 2018 was 11.2 inches and ranged from 4.3 to 19.4 inches. Two primary length groups were sampled in 2018, 31 fish were between 4.3 and 7.0 inches and 41 were captured between 13.0 inches and 19.4 inches. Scales were used to estimate ages of Largemouth Bass, seven age classes were sampled (2009, 2011-2014, 2016, and 2017). Northern pike have historically had a moderate abundance in Bass Lake, and the trend continued in 2018 with a catch rate of 5.3/gill net. Northern Pike sampled with gill nets ranged from 20.1 to 30.9 inches in length and averaged 25.6 inches. Sixty-seven percent of Northern Pike sampled in 2018 were greater than the 24-inch minimum length limit. Southern Zone Northern Pike regulations are in effect at Bass Lake. Anglers are allowed 2 fish which must be at least 24 inches in length. The 2018 Yellow Perch catch rate was 23.5/gill net. Yellow Perch exhibited fair size structure, but had no fish exceeding 10.0 inches. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5.4 to 9.6 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. Three Channel Catfish were sampled in gillnets during the 2018 survey. These fish ranged from 20.0 to 30.8 inches in length. Pectoral spines were taken from the fish for aging purposes. Two of the fish were from the 2014 year class and one was from the 2010 year class. Common Carp and Yellow Bullheads were also present but occurred in low numbers. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Tyler Fellows, specialist

Bass Lake is a 203 acre lake located in Faribault County northwest of the city of Delavan. A public access is located on the northeast side of the lake, just off 400th Avenue. Bass Lake is a small basin with a maximum depth of 20 feet. Bass Lake was surveyed the week of June 3, 2013 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This survey consisted of deploying trap nets, gill nets, and electrofishing to monitor the fish community. Although black bullhead was the most abundant fish species in the survey, total numbers were at moderate levels. Trap and gill net catches averaged 4 and 9 fish per net, respectively. Black bullheads from Bass Lake were large, averaging over 13 inches in length and over 1.25 pounds. Overall panfish (black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch) abundances have recently been lower than historic levels. Black crappie abundance was low at the time of the 2013 survey. Only 1 fish was sampled between both net types and was over 11 inches in length. Bluegill abundance was also low, with only 2 fish collected throughout the survey. Yellow perch, which historically have had high abundance in Bass Lake, were non-existent in the 2013 survey. The behavioral and physical characteristics of largemouth bass make them difficult to capture in nets. Thus, electrofishing was the most effective method to assess the largemouth bass population. While the nets in this survey didn't catch any largemouth bass, electrofishing sampled 41 fish per hour. No stocking plan exists for largemouth bass, so the Bass Lake population is maintained by natural reproduction. Largemouth bass sampled in 2013 ranged from 3 to 9 years old and averaged over 16 inches in length (2.5 lbs), making Bass Lake one of the highest quality largemouth bass populations in the area. Northern pike fry are stocked annually in Bass Lake, which apparently maintains the population successfully. In 2013, gill nets produced an average of 5 northern pike per net lift. These fish averaged almost 22 inches in length and weighed over 2 pounds per fish. Most northern pike were from the 2011 year class, when 26,700 fry were stocked. Walleye abundance remained high in Bass Lake. The 2013 survey yielded nearly 5 fish per gill net, which is above average for similar lakes in the area. Walleye lengths ranged from 10 to 25 inches with an average over 18 inches. Most of the walleye sampled from this survey were from the 2012 year class, when 218,000 fry were stocked. A walleye maintenance stocking program has been in place at Bass Lake to sustain the population. Walleye fry are stocked every other year. Other fish collected in this survey in low numbers included common carp, yellow bullhead, and channel catfish. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners can contribute to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Prepared by: Kip Rounds, Fisheries Specialist

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

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

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

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

Yes — Bass has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.