Cavanaugh

Itasca County

Near Cohasset

DOW: 31057201

Northern PikeGood · 70WalleyeGood · 50Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 55-acre lake near Cohasset in Itasca County — best known for pike and walleye. Last surveyed 2000.

Fish Species (11)

Northern Pike

Good · 70

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

20.5"

Avg Weight

2.32 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net · typical 2.7–9.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike27% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 73%Largest sampled 34"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2000	8.00	20.5"	2.32 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 6, 2000	0.67	20.5"	2.18 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.0"

Avg Weight

2.76 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2000	0.17	19.0"	2.76 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

14.1"

Avg Weight

2.74 lbs

Catch rate: 0.83 per trap net · typical 0.4–2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable largemouth bass70% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 30%Largest sampled 19"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2000	2.00	14.1"	1.72 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 6, 2000	0.83	14.1"	2.74 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 16, 1980	0.50	-	1.00 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 49

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.6"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 11.7 per gill net · typical 1–4.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2000	11.67	6.6"	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 6, 2000	0.33	6.6"	0.32 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 16, 1980	2.33	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.2"

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 1.9–19.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch8% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 92%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2000	3.00	6.2"	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 6, 2000	0.67	6.2"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 16, 1980	1.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 21

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.4"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per trap net · typical 2.9–41.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2000	9.00	4.4"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 6, 2000	26.67	4.4"	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 16, 1980	133.50	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 11

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.2"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.83 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2000	0.83	4.2"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 6, 2000	2.33	4.2"	0.06 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 16, 1980	1.33	-	0.06 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (4)

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

White Sucker

Good · 74

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.19 lbs

Catch rate: 2.7 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1980	2.67	-	2.19 lbs	Standard gill nets

Golden Shiner

Good · 72

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 0.4–6.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1980	5.33	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 50

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1973

Last surveyed 1973 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.47 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–5.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2000	0.33	13.0"	1.78 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 16, 1980	0.33	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 2, 1973	2.50	-	0.47 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 37

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.7–16.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 16, 1980	13.33	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 16, 1980	0.50	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

September 6, 2000Cavanaugh Lake is a small, 67 acre bass-panfish lake located about 4 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, MN. The area was impacted by mining activity in…

Cavanaugh Lake is a small, 67 acre bass-panfish lake located about 4 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, MN. The area was impacted by mining activity in the 1950-1960's. The north shore of the lake was altered with rock from mining operations as was the inlet from Little Cavanaugh. This assessment was conducted to determine the current status of the fishery and what if anything could be done to restore the inlet from Little Cavanaugh at the request of a private landowner. Northern pike were sampled in good numbers at 8.0/gill net. Although the average length of those sampled was only 20.9 inches, some nice pike were captured. The largest was 34.8 inches. Black crappie are often difficult to sample during summer assessments since they suspend over deep water. This was the case in this assessment since most were sampled in the gill net. Most of the crappies sampled were less than 8 inches. Bluegill were also sampled in good numbers in the gill nets. The bluegill sampled indicate a population of poor quality and poor growth. All were under 8 inches. More largemouth bass were sampled in Cavanaugh Lake than in other lakes that are similiar. They varied in length from 6.8-19.6 inches. Growth rates were good. An important forage species, yellow perch, was sampled in low numbers at 3.0/gill net. Brown bullhead and pumpkinseed sunfish were also sampled.

June 16, 1980Perch and bluegill populations are at quite high levels. The pumpkinseed population has declined since the 1973 survey. Stocking appears to have incre…

Perch and bluegill populations are at quite high levels. The pumpkinseed population has declined since the 1973 survey. Stocking appears to have increased the largemouth bass population to an acceptable level.

August 2, 1973None.

None.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Cavanaugh?

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

Is there public access at Cavanaugh?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Cavanaugh. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Cavanaugh?

Cavanaugh has a maximum depth of 48 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Cavanaugh last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cavanaugh is from 2000. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.