Bass

Bass Lake is unique, having the entire shoreline in county ownership and interspersed with camp sites. There is a modest earthen access on the west shore. The lake is small, 117 acres, with about a quarter of it less than 15 feet and a maximum depth of 65 feet. Lake types similar to Bass have moderate to low fertility. Mirror Lake is a near-by comparable lake. Bass Lake is within the North Central Northern Pike Zone which has a 22 to 26 inch protected slot length (PSL) with a 10 fish bag limit of which only two can be over 26 inches. Spear fishers have an exception with one fish allowed in the slot a day. Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass appeared to be well suited to the lake, while Largemouth Bass and Bluegill tended to have satisfactory performance. A lake management plan will be developed in 2021. Due to the relatively small size of the lake and low fertility, anglers can have a tremendous impact on the quality of the fishery. Anglers are encouraged to limit their harvest of large fish, but instead choose smaller individuals to help insure a quality fishery remains. Northern Pike catches have increased over time but have remind about average, within the expected range for lakes with comparable habitat. Size structure has typically been moderate. A few larger fish were sampled in 2020 showing the potential to grow large fish. Fish within the North Central PSL comprised 32% of the catch. Age determinations indicated a relatively even distribution. Growth was good, a little better than statewide averages. Northern Pike averaged 25.5 inches by age 4 in 2020. Northern Pike angling opportunities appeared favorable in 2020, however, anglers are encouraged to release large fish as very few fish over 28 inches have been sampled. Smallmouth Bass are popular with anglers and good opportunities exist in Bass Lake. Net catches had an increasing trend and were better than expected in 2020. The sizes of fish sampled in 2020 indicate a quality fishery, with fish up to 20 inches sampled. Age determination found fish up to age 7 in the sample with a somewhat even distribution. Smallmouth Bass averaged 14 inches by age 5 in 2020. Largemouth Bass catches have been variable but suggest the population in similar to comparable lakes. Size structure is encouraging with fish up to 20 inches sampled in 2020. However, few fish over 12 inches had been sampled in past surveys. Age determination identified fish up to age 9 and growth was below statewide averages. Largemouth Bass averaged 11.8 inches by age 5 in 2020. Bluegill were the most abundant species sampled in 2020. However, catches were considered average for the type of lake. Past catches were typically below average. Sizes of fish sampled were moderate in 2020 but similar to past surveys. Age determination identified fish up to age 9 in the sample. Growth was similar to lakes with comparable habitat. Bluegill averaged 7.6 inches by age 8 in 2020. Other species sampled include Golden Shiner, Rock Bass and White Sucker.

COMPARISONS MADE WITH THE 1975, 1980, 1981 AND 1984 SURVEYS INDICATE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN NUMBERS OF BOTH NORTHERN PIKE AND ROCK BASS. THE ABUNDANCE OF YELLOW PERCH HAS DECREASED OVER THE PAST YEARS.

FISH POPULATION WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, 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 65 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 2020.

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