Bass

A standard survey of Bass Lake was conducted in early July of 2023. Two large frame trapnets (6'W x 5'H) were also set for Bluegill. In addition, an early June Largemouth Bass (mix of pre and post spawn fish) night electrofishing survey was conducted in 2023. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Bass is a small (52 acres) and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. The maximum depth is 31 feet. A township public access with limited parking and turn around is located along the north shore. Residential development (11 homes) has occurred primarily along the north and west shoreline areas. Hardwoods dominate the east and south shorelines. Agricultural row crop drainage into the lake occurs via 3 inlets/tiles located along the west and north shores. Water levels were below normal in 2023. Recently, an existing tile line along the west side was repaired allowing more runoff to flow into Bass Lake during rain events. The crude log/mud outlet structure failed in 2002 because of erosion making fish movements more feasible and causing water-level to drop about 2 feet. Common Carp were sampled in both gillnets and trapnets in 2003 which was the first-time carp were sampled since 1979. Common Carp may have immigrated into Bass Lake after the outlet structure failed. The outlet structure was repaired in 2006 by SWCD, county, and state. The Bass Lake outlet connects to Tait's Lake. It continues flowing downstream thru two wetlands of which the furthest downstream wetland was the Diamond Lake Northern Pike Spawning Area "NPSA". The NPSA wetland flows under Kandiyohi County Road #4 and into the southwest corner of Diamond Lake. Kandiyohi County Road #4 was rerouted around to the west side of the Diamond Lake County Park in 2018. The Diamond Lake NPSA water control structure and fish barrier were removed due to the new culvert placement and road upgrades. However, this may increase fish movement from Diamond into Bass Lake during high water events if the Bass Lake outlet structure fails again. Water clarity was moderate (secchi=7.5 feet) on July 10, 2023. The total phosphorus level was relatively low (0.026 ppm) from a previous survey conducted on June 10, 2013. Dissolved oxygen was low ( 6 ppm) during heavy snow accumulations of February/March 2019. Although winterkill (significant/partial) occurred in several area lakes (Point, Swenson, School Grove, Lady Slipper and Elizabeth) for the 2022-23 winter due to high snowfall accumulations, none occurred in Bass Lake. Anglers target primarily Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass in Bass Lake. Largemouth Bass numbers (pre and post spawn) were abundant (148.00 fish/hour) in the 2023 early June night electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers and similar sizes were also captured (180.00 fish/hour) in the 2018 mid-June night electrofishing survey. The Largemouth Bass average size was moderate (11.56 inches and 1.17 pounds) in the 2023 early June electrofishing survey. The 2023 catch rate of preferred size (15.00 inches plus) largemouth bass was high (45.00 fish/hour). There were also abundant numbers of small (<8.00 inches) Largemouth Bass present in the 2023 early June electrofishing survey. Post spawn electrofishing surveys generally catch greater numbers of smaller or younger Largemouth bass than previous electrofishing surveys conducting during the spawning season. Largemouth Bass also tend to be found near docks, downed trees in the water or within submergent vegetation adjacent to deep water during post spawn conditions versus shallow spawning bay areas often containing bulrush. Largemouth Bass adults were stocked (22 fish) in Bass Lake during the spring of 1997 following the 1996-97 winterkill. One Smallmouth Bass was captured in the 1994 survey, but no Smallmouth Bass have been captured in other surveys since 1994. Black Crappie abundance was low in 2023 (2.00 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 7.12 fish/trapnet. Low Black Crappie numbers were caught in 2018 survey (1.17 fish/trapnet). Abundant Black Crappie numbers (13.67 fish/trapnet, 8.72 inches) were captured in the 2013 survey. The Black Crappie average size was small (0.25 pounds and 7.64 inches) in the 2023 trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight and length are 0.28 pounds 7.78 inches respectively from trapnets. The 2023 Black Crappie catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches plus) was low (0.33 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie adults were stocked into Bass during the spring of 1997 (121 fish) and 2000 (532 fish). Northern Pike were absent in 2018 and 2023 surveys. Northern Pike abundance was moderate in the 2013 survey (4.00 fish/gillnet, 27.03 inches). The northern pike historical average catch rate is 4.71 fish/gillnet. Northern Pike adults (48 fish) were stocked into Bass Lake during 1998. Although Northern Pike numbers are low, it is unlikely that Northern Pike have been totally absent from Bass Lake. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Bass in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26.0 inches; and all from 22.0 to 26.0 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22.0 and 26.0 inches or two larger than 26.0 inches. Yellow Perch abundance was low (5.00 fish/gillnet, 0.83 fish/trapnet) in the 2023 survey. Yellow Perch were absent in 2018 and 2013 surveys. The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 19.41 fish/gillnet. The Yellow Perch average size was small (0.13 pounds and 6.58 inches) from all gears combined. Walleye were absent in the 2023 survey. Walleye numbers were low (2.00 fish/gillnet and 0.17 fish/trapnet) in 2018. Walleye were absent in 2013 gillnet and trapnets. The Walleye historical catch rate is 1.32 fish/gillnet. The Walleye average size was 4.09 pounds in 2018 gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.64 pounds from gillnets. Walleye are not currently stocked in Bass. Bluegill abundance was low (19.67 fish/trapnet) in 2023 compared to the historical average catch rate (35.95 fish/trapnet). The 2023 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.22 pounds and 6.37 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.19 pounds from trapnets. The 2023 Bluegill catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches plus) was moderate (11.33 fish/trapnet). The 2023 Bluegill catch rate of preferred size (8.00 inches plus) was low (1.67 fish/trapnet). Bluegill growth rates were excellent for ages 1-8. The 2020 and 2019 year classes comprised 64% and 26% respectively of the 2023 total Bluegill catch. Bluegill adults (2,415 fish) were stocked into Bass Lake during the spring of 1997 following the 1996-97 winterkill. A total of three Bluegill (8.40 inches average) were captured in the two large frame trapnets. Low catchability of fish was probably due to fish swimming over the large frame net/lead because of the steep drop off. Black Bullhead abundance was low (0.17 fish/trapnet) in the 2023 and 2013 surveys. Black Bullhead were absent in the 2018 survey. Yellow Bullhead abundance was also low (0.50 fish/trapnet) in the 2023 survey. Common Carp were absent in the 2023 survey. Common Carp abundance was high (5.00 fish/gillnet and 1.17 fish/trapnet) in 2018. The Common Carp average size was small (2.40 pounds) in the 2018 trapnets. No Common Carp were captured in the 2013 survey nets. The historical average catch rates are 12.82 Black Bullhead/trapnet, 1.27 Yellow Bullhead/trapnet and 0.97 Common Carp/gillnet. Current fish management activities on Bass Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, periodic winter oxygen testing, participating in local watershed initiatives, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Bass Lake fishery will be surveyed in 2028 for all fish species.

A standard survey of Bass Lake was conducted in early July of 2018. In addition, a mid-June Largemouth Bass (post spawn fish) night electrofishing survey was also conducted in 2018. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Bass is a small (52 acres) and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. The maximum depth is 31 feet. A township public access with limited parking and turn around is located along the north shore. Residential development (11 homes) has occurred primarily along the north and west shoreline areas. Hardwoods dominate the east and south shorelines. Agricultural row crop drainage into the lake occurs via 3 inlets/tiles located along the west and north shores. Water levels were above normal in 2018. Recently, an existing tile line along the west side was repaired allowing more runoff to flow into Bass Lake during rain events. The crude log/mud outlet structure failed in 2002 because of erosion making fish movements more feasible and causing a water-level drop of about 2 feet. Common Carp were sampled in both gillnets and trapnets in 2003 which was the first time Common Carp were sampled since 1979. Common Carp may have immigrated into Bass Lake after the outlet structure failed. The outlet structure was repaired in 2006 by SWCD, county, and state. The Bass Lake outlet connects to Tait's Lake. It continues flowing downstream thru two wetlands of which the furthest downstream wetland was the Diamond Lake Northern Pike Spawning Area "NPSA". The NPSA wetland flowed under Kandiyohi County Road #4 and into the southwest corner of Diamond Lake. Kandiyohi County Road #4 was rerouted around to the west side of the Diamond Lake County Park in 2018. The Diamond Lake NPSA water control structure and fish barrier were removed due to the new culvert placement and road upgrades. However this may increase fish movement from Diamond into Bass Lake during high water events if the Bass Lake outlet structure fails again. Late ice out (late April-early May) occurred on area lakes in 2018. Water clarity was fair (secchi=6.0 feet) on July 16, 2018. The total phosphorus level relatively low (0.026 ppm) from a previous survey conducted on June 10, 2013. Dissolved oxygen was low ( 6 ppm) during heavy snow accumulations of February/March 2019. Anglers target primarily Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass in Bass Lake. Largemouth Bass numbers (post spawn) were abundant (180.00 fish/hour) in the 2018 mid-June night electrofishing survey. The Largemouth Bass average size was moderate (11.82 inches and 1.06 pounds) in the 2018 mid-June electrofishing survey. The 2018 catch rate of preferred size (15.0 inches and larger) largemouth bass was high (25.09 fish/hour). There were also abundant numbers of small (<8.0 inches) Largemouth Bass present in the 2018 mid-June electrofishing survey. Post spawn electrofishing surveys generally catch greater numbers of smaller or younger Largemouth bass than previous electrofishing surveys conducted during the spawning season. Largemouth Bass also tend to be found near docks, downed trees in the water or within submergent vegetation adjacent to deep water during post spawn conditions versus shallow spawning bay areas often containing bulrush. Largemouth Bass growth rates were slightly below average. The 2013 year class comprised 23% of the 2018 total Largemouth Bass spring electrofishing catch. Largemouth Bass adults were stocked (22 fish) in Bass Lake during the spring of 1997 following the 1996-97 winterkill. No Smallmouth Bass were captured in the 2018 survey. Black Crappie numbers were low in 2018 (1.17 fish/trapnet) compared to similar lakes and the historical average (7.63 fish/trapnet). Abundant Black Crappie numbers (13.67 fish/trapnet, 8.7 inches) were captured in the previous 2013 survey. The Black Crappie average size was large (0.60 pounds and 9.9 inches) in the 2018 trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were above average for older fish. The 2014 and 2013 year classes each comprised 33% of the 2018 Black Crappie catch. Black Crappie adults were stocked into Bass during the spring of 1997 (121 fish) and 2000 (532 fish) following the 1996-97 winterkill. Northern Pike were absent in 2018 survey nets. Northern Pike abundance was moderate in the previous 2013 survey (4.00 fish/gillnet, 27.0 inches). The Northern Pike historical average catch rate is 5.18 fish/gillnet. Northern Pike adults (48 fish) were stocked into Bass Lake during 1998. It is unlikely that Northern Pike are totally absent from Bass Lake. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Bass Lake in the North-central Zone are as follows: 10 (Not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediately released.) by angling; 10 (only 1 Northern Pike between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or 2 over 26") by dark house spearing. Yellow Perch were absent in 2018 and 2013 surveys. The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 20.85 fish/gillnet. Local lakeshore residents have reported a recent decrease in catch rates of Northern Pike, Black Crappie and Yellow Perch. Walleye numbers were low (2.00 fish/gillnet and 0.17 fish/trapnet) in 2018. Walleye were absent in the 2013 survey. The Walleye historical catch rate is 1.45 fish/gillnet. The 2018 Walleye average size was large (4.09 pounds) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.64 pounds from gillnets. Walleye are not currently stocked in Bass. These fish entered Bass either from downstream sources (Tait's Lake or Diamond Lake) during high water events or were stocked by other people. Bluegill numbers were moderate in 2018 (27.83 fish/trapnet) compared to similar lakes. The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 37.58 fish/trapnet. The 2018 Bluegill average size was large (0.26 pounds and 6.7 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.18 pounds from trapnets. The 2018 catch rate of quality size (6.0 inches and larger) Bluegill was high (20.62 fish/trapnet). The 2018 catch rate of preferred size (8.0 inches and larger) Bluegill was moderate (3.02 fish/trapnet). Bluegill growth rates were above average. The 2012 year class comprised 41% of the 2018 total Bluegill catch. Bluegill adults (2,415 fish) were stocked into Bass Lake during the spring of 1997 following the 1996-97 winterkill. Black Bullhead were absent in the 2018 survey and low in the previous 2013 survey (0.17 fish/trapnet). Yellow Bullhead abundance was also low in the 2018 and 2013 trapnets (0.50 fish/trapnet). Common Carp abundance was high (5.00 fish/gillnet and 1.17 fish/trapnet) in 2018. The Common Carp average size was small (2.40 pounds) in the 2018 trapnets. No Common Carp were captured in the 2013 survey nets. The historical average catch rates are 14.08 Black Bullhead/trapnet, 1.35 Yellow Bullhead/trapnet and 1.07 Common Carp/gillnet. Current fish management activities on Bass Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, periodic winter oxygen testing, participating in local watershed initiatives, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Bass Lake fishery will be resurveyed in 2023 for all fish species.

A resurvey of Bass Lake was conducted in early July of 2013. Bass is a small (52 acres) and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. The maximum depth is 31 feet. A township public access with limited parking and turn around is located along the north shore. Residential development (11 homes) has occurred primarily along the north and west shoreline areas. Hardwoods dominate the east and south shorelines. Agricultural row crop drainage into the lake occurs via 3 inlets/tiles located along the west and north shores. Water clarity was excellent (secchi=17.5 feet) and the total phosphorus level relatively low (0.026 ppm) on June 10, 2013. Dissolved oxygen was low (15 inches) largemouth bass was moderate (6.46 fish/hour). Largemouth bass growth rates were within the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-8. The 2010 year class comprised 50% of the 2013 total largemouth bass spring electrofishing catch. Largemouth bass adults were stocked (22 fish) in Bass Lake during the spring of 1997 following the 1996-97 winterkill. Black crappie numbers were moderately abundant in 2013 (13.67 fish/trapnet) compared to the normal range of similar lakes and the Bass Lake historical average (8.35 fish/trapnet). The 2013 black crappie average size was moderate (0.36 pounds and 8.72 inches) from trapnets. The black crappie historical average weight and length are 0.24 pounds 7.29 inches respectively from trapnets. The 2013 catch rate of moderate sized (>8 inches) black crappie was excellent (13.33 fish/trapnet). Black crappie growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 2-5. The 2010 black crappie year class comprised 96% of the 2013 black crappie catch. Black crappie adults were stocked into Bass during the spring of 1997 (121 fish) and 2000 (532 fish) following the 1996-97 winterkill. Northern pike numbers were moderate in 2013 (4.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the normal range of similar lakes and the Bass Lake historical average (5.76 fish/gillnet). The 2013 northern pike average size was moderately large (4.60 pounds and 27.03 inches) from the gillnet. The northern pike historical average weight is 3.25 pounds from gillnets. The 2013 catch rate of larger (>28 inches) northern pike was high (2.00 fish/gillnet). Northern pike growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 2-5. Approximately 40% of the northern pike captured in the 2013 gillnet were from the 2008 year class. Northern pike adults (48 fish) were stocked into Bass Lake during 1998. Yellow perch were absent in 2013 gillnet and trapnets. The yellow perch historical average catch rate is 23.17 fish/gillnet. Walleye were also absent in 2013 gillnet and trapnets. The walleye historical catch rate is 1.56 fish/gillnet. The walleye historical average weight is 2.35 pounds from gillnets. Bluegill numbers were abundant (70.00 fish/trapnet) and the average size was large (0.31 pounds and 7.28 inches) in 2013. The bluegill historical average catch rate is 38.66 fish/trapnet. The bluegill historical average weight is 0.17 pounds from trapnets. The 2013 catch rate of moderate sized (>6 inches) bluegill was high (68.50 fish/trapnet). The 2013 catch rate of larger (> 8 inches) bluegill was also high (9.83 fish/trapnet). Bluegill growth rates were above the Spicer Area normal ranges for ages 1-8. The 2010 year class comprised 86% of the 2013 total bluegill catch. Bluegill adults (2,415 fish) were stocked into Bass Lake during the spring of 1997 following the 1996-97 winterkill. Black bullhead numbers were low in 2013 (0.17 fish/trapnet). Black bullhead were absent from the 2013 gillnet. Yellow bullhead numbers were also low in the 2013 trapnets (0.50 fish/trapnet). There were no carp captured in the 2013 survey nets. The historical average catch rates are 15.65 black bullhead/trapnet, 1.44 yellow bullhead/trapnet and 0.63 carp/gillnet. Current fish management activities on Bass Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, periodic winter oxygen testing, participating in local watershed initiatives, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Bass Lake fishery will be resurveyed in the 2018 for all fish species.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, and Green Sunfish 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 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 2023.

Yes — Bass has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.