Bass

Bass Lake has is managed primarily for northerns, and secondarily for bluegills, black crappies, and largemouth bass. Bass Lake falls into lake class 37, a group of small relatively shallow lakes with small watersheds. The northern population is average for its lake class in number and average weight, but this average weight (2.6 lbs.) is acceptable to many anglers. Bluegills are abundant, but mostly fairly small. Bluegill abundance has varied between surveys, and was below the median for the lake class in the 1991 survey. Black crappies are average for the lake class. The largemouth bass population appears to be small. The current (1989) management plan calls for resurveys on a three year rotation, presumably ending with a 1997 survey. These surveys have been conducted as part of the acid rain intensive survey program to monitor adverse impacts from acidic precipitation.

Bass Lake has been part of the Acid Rain Intensive Lake Survey Program since 1988. This program was initiated to monitor the biotic and chemical components of selected low pH lakes in Minnesota. In July, 1991, a lake survey was conducted on Bass Lake. To determine the status of the fish populations, two gillnets and four trapnets were set and two shoreline stations were seined. Based on the results of these efforts the status of the fish populations compared to previous surveys and to lakes of the same classification statewide are described. The northern pike net catch (4.00/set) was lower than the previous survey catch in 1988 (5.00/set). This 1991 catch was lower than the statewide median catch (5.00/set) but falls within the first and third quartile range, 2.00/set and 8.20/set, respectively. The northern pike captured ranged from 14.0 to 25.9 inches with a median length group of 21.0- 21.9 inches. The mean weight was 2.21 pounds which is slightly above the statewide median weight for northern pike of this lake type (1.99 pounds). Age analysis determined that these fish were from three to five years old. Average back-calculated lengths for each age class were slightly lower than normal growth for northern pike throughout the state, indicating slightly below average growth. The bluegill net catch (8.25/set) was well below the previous survey catch (56.00/set). The 1991 catch was lower than the statewide median catch (19.75/set) but falls within the first and third quartile range, 7.75/set and 39.37/set, respectively. The bluegills captured ranged from 3.5 to 6.9 inches with a median length group of 5.0-5.4 inches. The mean weight was 0.11 pounds which is at the first quartile for statewide median weight for bluegills of this lake type (0.11 pounds). Thus, indicating weights lower than average weights statewide. Age analysis determined that these fish were from two to seven years old. Average back-calculated lengths for each age class were below normal growth for bluegills statewide. This indicates overall bluegill growth is on the slow and thin side of normal growth. Seine hauls captured 9 young-of-year bluegills. The black crappie net catch (2.00/set) was also down from the previous survey catch (5.66/set). However, the 1991 catch was similar to the statewide median catch (2.08/set) and falls within the first and third quartile range, 0.81/set and 4.00/set, respectively. The black crappies captured ranged from 6.0 to 9.9 inches with a median length group of 8.5- 8.9 inches. The mean weight was 0.29 pounds which is similar to the statewide median weight for black crappies of this lake type (0.30 pounds). Age analysis determined that the fish were from four to seven years old. Average back-calculated lengths for each age class were below normal growth for black crappies statewide. Therefore, black crappies in Bass Lake grow slower than normal but maintain average size in weight. Largemouth bass were not captured in gillnets or trapnets but 2 young-of-year were taken in the seine hauls. Two other species were captured during the survey (yellow bullhead and brown bullhead). Both species had net catches that fell within their respective first and third quartile ranges.

Bass Lake has been part of the Acid Rain Intensive Lake Survey Program since 1988. This program was initiated to monitor the biotic and chemical components of selected low pH lakes in Minnesota. In July, 1991, a lake survey was conducted on Bass Lake. To determine the status of the fish populations, two gillnets and four trapnets were set and two shoreline stations were seined. Based on the results of these efforts the status of the fish populations compared to previous surveys and to lakes of the same classification statewide are described. The northern pike net catch (4.00/set) was lower than the previous survey catch in 1988 (5.00/set). This 1991 catch was lower than the statewide median catch (5.00/set) but falls within the first and third quartile range, 2.00/set and 8.20/set, respectively. The northern pike captured ranged from 14.0 to 25.9 inches with a median length group of 21.0- 21.9 inches. The mean weight was 2.21 pounds which is slightly above the statewide median weight for northern pike of this lake type (1.99 pounds). Age analysis determined that these fish were from three to five years old. Average back-calculated lengths for each age class were slightly lower than normal growth for northern pike throughout the state, indicating slightly below average growth. The bluegill net catch (8.25/set) was well below the previous survey catch (56.00/set). The 1991 catch was lower than the statewide median catch (19.75/set) but falls within the first and third quartile range, 7.75/set and 39.37/set, respectively. The bluegills captured ranged from 3.5 to 6.9 inches with a median length group of 5.0-5.4 inches. The mean weight was 0.11 pounds which is at the first quartile for statewide median weight for bluegills of this lake type (0.11 pounds). Thus, indicating weights lower than average weights statewide. Age analysis determined that these fish were from two to seven years old. Average back-calculated lengths for each age class were below normal growth for bluegills statewide. This indicates overall bluegill growth is on the slow and thin side of normal growth. Seine hauls captured 9 young-of-year bluegills. The black crappie net catch (2.00/set) was also down from the previous survey catch (5.66/set). However, the 1991 catch was similar to the statewide median catch (2.08/set) and falls within the first and third quartile range, 0.81/set and 4.00/set, respectively. The black crappies captured ranged from 6.0 to 9.9 inches with a median length group of 8.5- 8.9 inches. The mean weight was 0.29 pounds which is similar to the statewide median weight for black crappies of this lake type (0.30 pounds). Age analysis determined that the fish were from four to seven years old. Average back-calculated lengths for each age class were below normal growth for black crappies statewide. Therefore, black crappies in Bass Lake grow slower than normal but maintain average size in weight. Largemouth bass were not captured in gillnets or trapnets but 2 young-of-year were taken in the seine hauls. Two other species were captured during the survey (yellow bullhead and brown bullhead). Both species had net catches that fell within their respective first and third quartile ranges.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Bass. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Bass has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bass is from 1994. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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.