Little Bass

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Little Bass Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 59.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 15.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 23.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 7.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 12.6 degrees C (54.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2023 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat, with a oxythermal habitat layer of 10.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Little Bass Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 59.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 15.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 23.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 7.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 12.6 degrees C (54.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2023 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat, with a oxythermal habitat layer of 10.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Little Bass Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 59.0 feet), the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 15.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 23.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 7.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 12.6 degrees C (54.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2023 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat, with a oxythermal habitat layer of 10.7 feet thick. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Walleye, and Bluegill in Little Bass. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Bass has a maximum depth of 62 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Bass is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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