Bartlett

Bartlett Lake is a 304-acre lake located on the northeastern edge of the town of Northome, MN. Bartlett is a highly productive lake that has a history of frequent winterkill events. Between winterkill events, Bartlett is capable of quickly rebounding to provide fish that are of interest to anglers. A winterkill event occurred in 2014, and in response to that event adult Black Crappie and Northern Pike have been stocked in the lake. A full population assessment was completed in July of 2021. Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch were the only game species sampled in the survey. Northern Pike were represented by all year classes from 2014 to 2019 with the exception of 2017. The 2019 year class was most abundant in the survey. The Northern Pike catch rate was extremely high at 19.3/net. Northern Pike ranged in length from 18 to 24.8 inches, with a mean of 20.4 inches. Black crappie were not captured during the survey. Four Bluegill were captured in trap nets, ranging in length from 6 to 8.3 inches. Yellow Perch were very abundant (107.3/net), with some preferred length fish in the catch. The mean length of Yellow Perch was 7 inches, ranging in length from 5.7 to 11.9 inches.

Bartlett Lake is a 304 acre lake located on the northeastern edge of the town of Northome, MN. Bartlett is a highly productive lake that has a history of frequent winterkill events. Between winterkill events, Bartlett is capable of quickly rebounding to provide fish that are of interest to anglers. A winterkill event occurred in 2014, and in response to that event adult Black Crappie and Northern Pike have been stocked in the lake. A full population assessment was completed in July of 2016. All but a few fish that were caught during the 2016 survey came from the 2014 or 2015 year class. This is due to the winterkill that occurred in 2014. As is typical for winterkill lakes, the growth of these young fish is rapid. Black Crappies are very abundant, and they are showing good growth with more than 11% of the fish already being over 8 inches. Northern Pike were less abundant than expected, but are also showing incredible growth with the 2 year old fish already averaging 4 pounds. Yellow Perch are also abundant, but the bulk of these will take longer to reach sizes that are of interest to anglers. However, a few perch were sampled that survived the winterkill of 2014, including one that was over 12 inches. Bartlett should provide a quality fishery for Black Crappie and Northern Pike if another winterkill doesn't occur.

Bartlett Lake is located near the town of Northome in southwestern Koochiching County. Bartlett is generally shallow, with a maximum depth of 16 feet and an average depth of about 9 feet. The lake has experienced several winterkill events in the past; thus, the fish community has been commonly dominated by species that can tolerate low oxygen levels such as bullhead and yellow perch. However, recent stocking events have been successful in reshaping the fish community with several species of sport-fish. Black bullhead were by far the most abundant species in the sample and greatly exceeded the range for this lake type. Size in gill nets ranged from 4.5 to 12.0 inches and the mean was 8.6. Sixty percent were less than 9.0 inches. Black crappie abundance was high during the 2012 investigation and in the previous investigation (2007). High black crappie abundance is the result of the introduction of black crappie in 2004 and 2005, and the successful reproduction of that brood stock. In 2012, abundance was much greater than the expected range for this lake type. Size in trap nets ranged from 4.6 to 12.0 inches with an exceptional mean of 10.5 inches. Eighty-eight percent of the trap-net catch were fish greater than ten inches. Six year-classes were present and age ranged from 1 to 7 years. However, very few young fish were captured; only 7% were age-4 or younger. Northern pike abundance was above the expected range for this lake type. Based on previous investigations, northern pike have rarely dominated the fish community of Bartlett Lake. However, adult northern pike were stocked in 2004, 2005, and 2008. A reproducing population has been established. In 2012, four year-classes were present and age ranged from 1 to 4 years. Ages 1 and 2 represented 81% of the sample. Size ranged from 15.4 to 32.6 inches and the mean was 20.3. Northern pike in Bartlett Lake grew fast; length at age 3 was 24.4 inches, which was well above the area average of 21.2 inches. Yellow perch gill-net abundance was well above the expected range for this lake type. Although abundance was high, the 2012 level remains well below observations in the two previous investigations. In 2012, seven year-classes were present and age ranged from 2 to 8 years. Age-6 fish represented 65% of the sample. Total length in the gill-net sample ranged from 5.4 to 10.0 inches and the mean was 7.7. Mean weight was near the upper end of the expected range.

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

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

Bartlett has a maximum depth of 16 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bartlett is from 2021.

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