Shipman Bass
A 37-acre lake near Burntside in St. Louis County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2011.
Fish Species (6)
Northern Pike
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.75 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2011 | 0.75 | 20.7" | 2.07 lbs |
| Aug 31, 1982 | 1.50 | - | 2.75 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.5–7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2011 | 2.17 | 4.0" | - |
| Aug 22, 2011 | 0.25 | 4.0" | 0.09 lbs |
| Aug 31, 1982 | 0.75 | - | 0.17 lbs |
Bluegill
Small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 5.8 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2011 | 5.83 | 6.0" | - |
| Aug 22, 2011 | 1.00 | 6.0" | 0.24 lbs |
| Aug 31, 1982 | 0.50 | - | 0.15 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.67 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2011 | 0.67 | 2.2" | - |
| Aug 22, 2011 | 0.25 | 2.2" | 0.19 lbs |
| Aug 31, 1982 | 0.25 | - | 3.00 lbs |
Green Sunfish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2011
Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2011 | 0.17 | - | - |
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
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982
Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1.2–4.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 1982 | 0.50 | - | 2.15 lbs |
Biologist Notes
August 22, 2011Shipman Bass Lake is a 37-acre lake with a maximum depth of 34 feet located approximately seven miles northwest of Ely in northeastern St. Louis Count…
Shipman Bass Lake is a 37-acre lake with a maximum depth of 34 feet located approximately seven miles northwest of Ely in northeastern St. Louis County. Access to the lake is off the Dead River with a 1/4 mile portage to the lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Shipman Bass Lake is in lake class 10. Other area lakes in the same lake class include Astrid, East Twin, Fenske, and Maude Lakes. Lakes in this lake class are small, have soft, clear water, and are moderately deep. Shipman Bass Lake is entirely within the Superior National Forest. The lake watershed size is 823 acres giving it a watershed to lake ratio of 24.9:1. The watershed is 47% forested, 32% marsh, and 21% bog with no development either on the lake or in the watershed. An aquatic vegetation survey on the lake identified 26 aquatic plants with no species being rated as abundant. Approximately 1% of the lake surface is covered with emergent plants. In 2011, a total of 63 fish were captured and the catch comprised six species. Only nine fish were caught in gill nets. The lengths of the three northern pike sampled were 19.8, 20.6, and 23.2 inches. Minnow traps were used to sample near-shore young-of-the-year species. Bluegill made up 65% (n=35) of the trap catch followed by yellow perch at 22% (n=12). A green sunfish and tadpole madtom were also caught. Largemouth bass and yellow perch young-of-the-year were captured.
August 31, 1982Northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and sucker are present in below average numbers.
Northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and sucker are present in below average numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Shipman Bass?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Bluegill in Shipman Bass. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Shipman Bass?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Shipman Bass. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Shipman Bass?
Shipman Bass has a maximum depth of 34 feet and a mean depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Shipman Bass last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Shipman Bass is from 2011. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Shipman Bass have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Shipman Bass 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
- 36.96 acres
- Max Depth
- 34 ft
- Mean Depth
- 21 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.21 mi
- Public Access
- Yes