Bass

Bass lake is a 292-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County. The town of Underwood, MN abuts the southeast shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 36 feet; however, 47% of the lake is fifteen feet or less in depth. Historical secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.0 to 18.0 feet. A city owned public access is located along the east shoreline of the lake. There has been a considerable increase in development in recent years and the only remaining undeveloped shoreline is the western portion of the south shore. Shoalwater substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Hardstem bulrush is limited to the areas around the points on the south shore and common cattail is abundant in the western bay of the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical in maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants also provide critical spawning habitat for several fish species including Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for many species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants cannot be removed without a DNR permit. A creamery was operated for many years on the east shoreline, which discharged raw effluent directly into the lake, creating high phosphorous levels. As a result, the lake is subject to substantial algae blooms in the summer, which can limit recreational activity. A reduced daily bag limit regulation for sunfish (5 per day) was implemented in 2021. The objective of the regulation is to improve and maintain the quality of the Bluegill size structure. A special spring trapnetting survey was conducted to collect baseline data on the Bluegill population, which will be used for regulation evaluation purposes in future surveys. The Bluegill population has historically experienced substantial fluctuations in abundance and size structure, which may be attributed to inconsistent reproduction rates and high angler harvest. Data from future surveys will determine if the reduced bag limit regulation can reduce the fluctuations and provide a more stable Bluegill population. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future. Bass Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. The non-native species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Bass lake is a 292-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County. The town of Underwood, MN abuts the southeast shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 36 feet; however, 47% of the lake is fifteen feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading was 18.0 feet. Previous secchi diskreadings have ranged from 3.0 to 16.5 feet. A city owned public access is located along the east shoreline of the lake. There has been a considerable increase in development in recent years and the only remaining undeveloped shoreline is the western portion of the south shore. Shoalwater substrates consist primarily of rubble and muck. Hardstem bulrush is limited to the areas around the points on the south shore and common cattail is abundant in the west end of the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical in maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants also provide critical spawning habitat for several fish species including Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for many species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants cannot be removed without a DNR permit. Bass Lake is subject to low dissolved oxygen levels in the winter and periodic winterkill occasionally occurs. A creamery was operated for many years on the east shore, which discharged effluent directly into the lake. This created high phosphorous levels in the lake and even though the creamery has been closed for many years, the phosphorous will remain in the system for a long time. As a result, the lake is still subject to dramatic algae blooms in the summer, which limit recreational activity. Bass Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie are the dominant gamefish species. Suitable spawning habitat for these species exists throughout the lake. Data from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that an excellent Largemouth bass population exists. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 4.8 to 18.7 inches with a mean length and weight of 13.4 inches and 1.7 pounds. Bass reproduction appears to be consistently good. Bass attain an average length of 14.9 inches at five years of age. Bluegills are very abundant and their size structure is also very good. Eighty-four percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegill growth rates are also very good with an average length of 8.1 inches at four years of age. Black Crappie abundance is at a historical high. The 2010 year class is strong and should provide good crappie angling for several years. Crappies ranged in length from 8.8 to 10.6 inches with an average length of 9.5 inches. Crappies attain an average length of 9.6 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

Bass lake is a 292-acre eutrophic (highly fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County. The town of Underwood, MN abuts the southeast shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 36 feet; however, 47% of the lake is fifteen feet or less in depth. The secchi disc reading, a measure of water clarity, was 16.5 feet. Previous readings have ranged from 3.0 to 12.1 feet. A city owned public access is located along the east shoreline of the lake. There has been a considerable increase in development in recent years, and the only remaining undeveloped shoreline is the western portion of the south shore. Shoalwater substrates consist primarily of rubble and muck. Hardstem bulrush is limited to the areas around the points on the south shore, and common cattail is common at the west end of the lake. These emergent plants provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical in maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants also provide critical spawning habitat for several fish species including northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for many species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants cannot be removed without a DNR permit. Bass Lake is subject to low dissolved oxygen levels in the winter and periodic winterkill occasionally ocurrs. A creamery was operated for many years on the east shore, which discharged effluent directly into the lake. This created high phosphorous levels in the lake and even though the creamery has been closed for many years, the phosphorous will remain in the system for a long time. As a result, the lake is still subject to dramatic algae blooms in the summer, which limit recreational activity. Bass Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, largemouth bass, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. Suitable spawning habitat for these species exists throughout the lake. Data from a spring electrofishing assessment indicate that an excellent largemouth bass population exists. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 2.9 to 20.0 inches with a mean length and weight of 12.0 inches and 1.6 pounds. Bass reproduction appears to be consistently good. Bass attain an average length of 14.8 inches at five years of age. Walleye are a primary management species and fry are stocked two out of three years. Walleye ranged in length from 13.8 to 26.6 inches with an average length and weight of 19.0 inches and 2.7 pounds. Walleye growth rates are very good with an average length of 16.1 inches at three years of age. The test-net catch rate indicates bluegill are abundant. Thirteen percent of the bluegills were at least 7.0 inches in length. Bluegill growth rates are also very good with an average length of 6.3 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of the more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with opportunities to catch more large fish in the future.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch 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 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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