Brush Shanty
A 149-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1987.
Fish Species (8)
Black Crappie
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987
Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 0.5–4.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 1987 | 6.00 | - | 0.17 lbs |
| Aug 17, 1987 | 2.75 | - | 0.18 lbs |
| Jul 23, 1980 | 6.67 | - | 0.30 lbs |
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987
Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.8 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 1987 | 2.75 | - | 2.53 lbs |
| Aug 17, 1987 | 0.25 | - | 6.00 lbs |
| Jul 23, 1980 | 9.50 | - | 2.16 lbs |
Walleye
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980
Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 1980 | 0.50 | - | 2.80 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987
Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 1987 | 0.50 | - | 1.85 lbs |
| Aug 17, 1987 | 0.25 | - | 0.10 lbs |
| Jul 23, 1980 | 0.25 | - | 1.50 lbs |
Bluegill
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987
Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 9.8 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 1987 | 9.75 | - | 0.11 lbs |
| Jul 23, 1980 | 14.25 | - | 0.19 lbs |
| Jul 23, 1980 | 2.00 | - | 0.19 lbs |
Pumpkinseed
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987
Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.1–4.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 1987 | 0.50 | - | 0.15 lbs |
| Jul 23, 1980 | 1.17 | - | 0.29 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987
Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.75 per gill net · typical 1.5–18.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 1987 | 0.75 | - | 0.10 lbs |
| Jul 23, 1980 | 2.83 | - | 0.11 lbs |
Other species in this lake (1)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1987
Last surveyed 1987 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 1987 | 0.50 | - | 0.90 lbs |
Biologist Notes
August 17, 1987NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE AND SIZE IS AVERAGE. BLACK CRAPPIE AND BLUEGILLS ARE ABUNDANT BUT SMALL. YELLOW PERCH ABUNDANCE IS LOW.
NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE AND SIZE IS AVERAGE. BLACK CRAPPIE AND BLUEGILLS ARE ABUNDANT BUT SMALL. YELLOW PERCH ABUNDANCE IS LOW.
July 23, 1980N Pike population is quite high and Perch abundance is lower than state and local medians. All other fish populations appear to be within normal limit…
N Pike population is quite high and Perch abundance is lower than state and local medians. All other fish populations appear to be within normal limits for this type of lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Brush Shanty?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill in Brush Shanty. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Brush Shanty?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Brush Shanty. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Brush Shanty?
Brush Shanty has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Brush Shanty last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Brush Shanty is from 1987. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Brush Shanty have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Brush Shanty in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 149.18 acres
- Max Depth
- 35 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.63 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed