Parent
A 451-acre lake near Ely in Lake County — best known for pike and bass. Last surveyed 2024.
Fish Species (7)
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2024
Catch rate: 1.9 per gill net · typical 1.8–5.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2024 | 1.89 | 23.7" | 3.72 lbs |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 1.22 | 29.6" | 6.78 lbs |
| Sep 4, 2012 | 2.11 | 27.6" | 5.99 lbs |
Smallmouth Bass
Large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2024
Catch rate: 2.6 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2024 | 2.56 | 14.1" | 1.95 lbs |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 2.44 | 12.0" | 1.11 lbs |
| Sep 4, 2012 | 3.44 | 11.9" | 1.22 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.22 per gill net · typical 0.2–1.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 4, 2012 | 0.22 | 10.5" | 0.84 lbs |
Walleye
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2024
Catch rate: 0.44 per gill net · typical 2–9.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2024 | 0.44 | 20.0" | 3.09 lbs |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 0.22 | 25.5" | 6.40 lbs |
| Sep 4, 2012 | 0.11 | 30.0" | 14.55 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2019
Catch rate: 0.22 per gill net · typical 1.7–14.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 16, 2019 | 0.22 | 7.0" | 0.18 lbs |
| Sep 2, 1997 | 0.33 | 5.3" | 0.09 lbs |
Rock Bass
Small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2024
Catch rate: 2.2 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2024 | 2.22 | 5.3" | 0.16 lbs |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 2.78 | 5.3" | 0.15 lbs |
| Sep 4, 2012 | 7.67 | 5.4" | 0.16 lbs |
Other species in this lake (1)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2024
Catch rate: 5.1 per gill net · typical 2.3–8.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2024 | 5.11 | 17.1" | 2.41 lbs |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 3.67 | 16.6" | 2.29 lbs |
| Sep 4, 2012 | 3.00 | 17.7" | 2.80 lbs |
Biologist Notes
July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Parent Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Parent Lake on July 30th, 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, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 39.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 22.6 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 8.4 degrees C (47.1 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 2024 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Parent Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Parent Lake on July 30th, 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, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 39.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 22.6 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 8.4 degrees C (47.1 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 2024 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Parent Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Parent Lake on July 30th, 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, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 17.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 39.9 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 22.6 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 8.4 degrees C (47.1 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 2024 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Parent?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Yellow Perch in Parent. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Parent?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Parent. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Parent?
Parent has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Parent last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Parent is from 2024.
Does Parent have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Parent in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 450.97 acres
- Max Depth
- 50 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.67 mi
- Public Access
- Yes