Bassett

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Bassett Lake was conducted on August 21st-August 22nd, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing, mini-fyke nets, and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 1/8" mesh mini-fyke net was used to sample 10 stations. Finally, a 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 16 species of fish. The nearshore data along with gill net and standard trap net data will be used to develop fish community models for Northeast Minnesota lakes, which will be used to measure lake health. These models may function similarly to fish IBI models developed for lakes across much of the rest of the state. For additional information, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. You can help protect the fish community in Bassett Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A fall young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye electrofishing assessment was conducted on Bassett Lake the night of 09/23/2024. Bassett Lake YOY and age-1 Walleye have been indexed annually with night electrofishing from 1994 through 2023, with the exception of 2001. A contingency based Walleye stocking program was initiated in 2012 utilizing annual fall Walleye young-of-the-year (YOY) electrofishing data. Walleye fingerlings are stocked the year following two consecutive years of YOY electrofishing catch rates below 5 per hour on-time in non-stocked years. Collection of these data is important as an early indicator of Walleye year-class strength for Bassett Lake. Zero YOY Walleye were captured during the 2024 investigation. The catch rate of 0 per hour of electrofishing was below the contingency threshold, and because it was also below the threshold in 2022 and 2023 it triggered a Walleye stocking event for Bassett Lake in fall of 2024. Catch rates from previous investigations ranged from 0.0 to 57.2 per hour. Prior mean lengths ranged from 4.8 to 7.2 inches. Mean length at the end of the first growing season has been strongly correlated to survival to age-1. The absence of YOY Walleye suggests a below average naturally reproduced year-class for 2024 is likely. Zero age-1 Walleye were sampled during the investigation for an electrofishing catch rate of 0 per hour. Catch rates of age-1 Walleye from previous investigations ranged from 0.0 to 50.9 per hour. Prior average lengths of age-1 Walleye have ranged from 7.4 to 9.9 inches. The absence of age-1 Walleye captured suggests a poor 2023 Walleye year-class is likely.

A fall young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye electrofishing assessment was conducted on Bassett Lake the night of 09/23/2024. Bassett Lake YOY and age-1 Walleye have been indexed annually with night electrofishing from 1994 through 2023, with the exception of 2001. A contingency based Walleye stocking program was initiated in 2012 utilizing annual fall Walleye young-of-the-year (YOY) electrofishing data. Walleye fingerlings are stocked the year following two consecutive years of YOY electrofishing catch rates below 5 per hour on-time in non-stocked years. Collection of these data is important as an early indicator of Walleye year-class strength for Bassett Lake. Zero YOY Walleye were captured during the 2024 investigation. The catch rate of 0 per hour of electrofishing was below the contingency threshold, and because it was also below the threshold in 2022 and 2023 it triggered a Walleye stocking event for Bassett Lake in fall of 2024. Catch rates from previous investigations ranged from 0.0 to 57.2 per hour. Prior mean lengths ranged from 4.8 to 7.2 inches. Mean length at the end of the first growing season has been strongly correlated to survival to age-1. The absence of YOY Walleye suggests a below average naturally reproduced year-class for 2024 is likely. Zero age-1 Walleye were sampled during the investigation for an electrofishing catch rate of 0 per hour. Catch rates of age-1 Walleye from previous investigations ranged from 0.0 to 50.9 per hour. Prior average lengths of age-1 Walleye have ranged from 7.4 to 9.9 inches. The absence of age-1 Walleye captured suggests a poor 2023 Walleye year-class is likely.

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

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

Bassett has a maximum depth of 21 feet and a mean depth of 12.9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bassett is from 2022.

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