Little Cavanaugh

Itasca County

Near Cohasset

DOW: 31057202

BluegillGood · 57Yellow PerchAverage · 41PumpkinseedAverage · 27

A 24-acre lake near Cohasset in Itasca County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 2000.

Fish Species (8)

Bluegill

Good · 57

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.0"

Avg Weight

0.71 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per trap net · typical 2.9–41.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2000	0.67	9.0"	0.71 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 17, 1980	0.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 15, 1972	3.00	-	0.04 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 41

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.3"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 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 12"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2000	6.00	6.3"	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1980	2.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 27

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.8"

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 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 5"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2000	2.00	4.8"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 5, 2000	4.00	4.8"	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 15, 1972	1.50	-	0.03 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Poor · 8

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.3"

Avg Weight

0.52 lbs

Catch rate: 11.7 per trap net · typical 0.4–2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable largemouth bass2% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 98%Largest sampled 16"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2000	11.67	9.3"	0.52 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 5, 2000	10.50	9.3"	0.45 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.

Golden Shiner

Good · 61

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.8"

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 7.5 per gill net · typical 0.4–6.2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2000	7.50	5.8"	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1980	0.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 54

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.0"

Avg Weight

2.44 lbs

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

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2000	0.50	17.0"	2.44 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1980	2.50	-	1.90 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 39

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.7"

Avg Weight

0.52 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.7–16.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2000	0.33	8.7"	0.52 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 5, 2000	70.00	8.7"	0.29 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1980	1.00	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Average · 36

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

10.0"

Avg Weight

0.54 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.5–5.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 5, 2000	0.33	10.0"	0.54 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 17, 1980	1.00	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 17, 1980	1.00	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

September 5, 2000Little Cavanaugh Lake is a 19 acre lake located near Cohasset, MN. The lake was created when a mining road split a larger basin into two separate basi…

Little Cavanaugh Lake is a 19 acre lake located near Cohasset, MN. The lake was created when a mining road split a larger basin into two separate basins; Big Cavanaugh and Little Cavanaugh Lakes. Little Cavanaugh Lake has a maximum depth of 22 ft and has had a history of winter kills. A developer has asked the DNR to look into removing a plugged culvert and reopening a channel in the mining road which splits the two basins. The purpose of this survey was to determine the present status of the fish community and what impacts any culvert modification may have on the fishery.Black bullhead numbers were very abundant with a gill net catch of 70/gill net. Largemouth bass gill-net catch was 10.5/gill net which is much higher than the lake class third quartile of 1.5/gill net. The largemouth bass population was comprised of one year class with an average length of 9.5 inches. Largemouth bass growth was faster than statewide averages. Yellow perch gill-net catch was 6.0/set with an average length of 6.8 inches. Two bluegill were sampled in the trap nets.The fish community is characteristic of a lake which experiences winter kills. Species such as bullheads are tolerant of low oxygen and are often the most abundant species. Game fish which survive winter kills are often comprised of one or two year classes and experience good growth after a winter kill. Water level data taken at the time of the survey indicates that Big Cavanaugh Lake is 1 foot higher than Little Cavanaugh. Opening the culvert would lower Big Cavanaugh Lake by 1 foot affecting lakeshore owners and possibly increasing the potential for winter kill in Big Cavanaugh. For these reasons, culvert modification is not recommended.

June 17, 1980Fish population structure is indicative of a periodic winterkill lake.

Fish population structure is indicative of a periodic winterkill lake.

June 15, 1972None.

None.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Little Cavanaugh?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, and Largemouth Bass in Little Cavanaugh. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Little Cavanaugh?

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

How deep is Little Cavanaugh?

Little Cavanaugh has a maximum depth of 27 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Little Cavanaugh last surveyed?

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