Marion

Marion Lake is located approximately nine miles west of Crane Lake, Minnesota. This 182.9-acre lake has a maximum depth of 13 feet and dark tannin-stained water. A fisheries survey was completed in Ban Lake during the 2025 field season as part of a regular rotation of surveys in the International Falls Management Area. Marion Lake fishing regulations follow statewide regulations for inland waters. Northern Pike regulations follow the North-East zone regulation. Previous management plans identify several long-range goals and midrange objectives, including providing a balanced abundance of the management species Walleye and Northern Pike along with a healthy abundance of Yellow Perch. Walleye gill net catch rate was 4.0 fish per net, which was average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 15.6 to 18.2 inches with an average length of 16.8 inches. Average weight was 1.6 pounds, which was above average compared to similar lakes. Only one year-class was present, all Walleye sampled were age-3. Good fishing opportunity exists in Marion Lake, for 15-to-18-inch Walleye. Northern Pike gill net catch rate was 17.25 per net, well above average for similar lakes. Total length ranged from 12.9 to 34.5 inches with an average length of 21.4 inches. Average weight was 2.5 pounds and was well above average compared to similar lakes. A total of eight year-classes were present and ages ranged from 2 to 10 years. With an above average catch rate and a large size structure, Marion Lake provides a good fishing opportunity for anglers targeting Northern Pike. Yellow Perch gill net catch rate was 15.5 fish per net, which was above average compared to similar lakes, but below historical average for Marion Lake. Total length ranged from 5.4 to 10.2 inches with an average length of 7.0 inches. Average weight was 0.15 pounds, which was slightly above average compared to similar lakes. With above average catch rates and a good size structure, Marion Lake provides an excellent opportunity for anglers targeting Yellow Perch. Black Bullhead was the only other species sampled during this survey.

Marion is a small lake located approximately 8 miles west of the community of Crane Lake, Minnesota. Marion is 183 acres and has a maximum depth of 13 feet. The bog-stained brown waters have fairly good clarity, and the majority of the lake is heavily vegetated. The only public access as of the 2018 survey is a carry-in access on the west side of the lake. Marion was surveyed in 2018 as part of a regular rotation of lake survey in the International Falls Management Area Bluegill are plentiful in Marion. The type of sampling gears used during the 2018 survey do not typically catch many Bluegill, but they were still caught in high numbers during this survey. The 2018 catch rate was greater than the long term average for Marion, and the size averaged 5.5 inches. Aging showed that some Bluegill up to 12 years old exist in Marion Lake. Largemouth Bass are also not typically sampled well in the gear used during the 2018 survey, but several were still caught. Largemouth were first sampled in survey gear during the 2012 assessment, and there appears to be a healthy population established now. Northern Pike are also plentiful, and were at record high catch rates in 2018. Typically lakes with high densities of Northern Pike tend to have stunted populations. However, Northern Pike up to nearly 36 inches were sampled during the survey. Pike averaged 2.3 pounds. Despite several years of recent Walleye fry stocking, the 2018 Walleye catch rate was the lowest since the initial survey in 1972. Two Walleye from the 2009 year class (9 years old) were the only Walleye caught during this survey. They measured 22.4 and 26.5 inches. Yellow Perch were also sampled at a historic low catch rate for Marion Lake. The 2018 catch rate was a fraction of the long term average for this lake. Perch averaged 6.6 inches during this survey. Additional species sampled during this survey include Golden Shiner.

Marion Lake is a 163 acre lake located approximately eight miles west of Crane Lake. It has a maximum depth of 13.0 feet and substantial weed growth throughout. Access is via a carrydown located on the west side of the lake at the end of a trail currently being constructed by the US Forest Service. Two Forest Service gates block public motor vehicle traffic prior to reaching the access. The walleye gill-net catch rate was 1.25/set, slightly low when compared to similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 20.6 to 24.6 with a mean of 22.2 inches. Growth rates appeared very good when compared to other lakes in the International Fall Management Area (IFMA). Mean weight was 3.96 lbs, but not surprising due to the lack of small fish in the catch. Three age classes were represented with ages ranging from 11 to 16 years. Marion has had a fair amount of walleye stocking, but all of the aged fish in this investigation date back to non-stocked year classes, indicating that natural reproduction seems to be occurring. The northern pike gill-net catch rate was 10.25/set which is very good when compared to similar lakes. The catch rate has remained near this level, never under 10.33/set, over the past four surveys dating back to 1995. Lengths ranged from 8.8 to 31.3 with a mean of 20.8 inches. Mean weight was 2.12 lbs but growth was slightly slow when compared to other lakes in the IFMA. Eight age classes were represented with ages ranging from 2 to 9 years. Largemouth bass were sampled in gill-nets for the first time on Marion. Two fish were captured for a catch rate of 0.50/set. Lengths were 14.5 and 16.3 inches with a mean weight of 2.48 lbs. The smaller bass was age-4 and the larger age-7. Bluegill trap-net abundance was 9.11/set which is very good when compared to other similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 3.4 to 8.2 with a mean of 5.6 inches. Mean weight was 0.15 lbs and growth was slightly below the area average. Seven year classes were present with ages ranging from 2 to 8 years, however 38% of the total catch came from the 2006 year class. Yellow perch gill-net abundance was 9.25/set. Mean weight was 0.09 lbs and lengths ranged from 5.2 to 7.6 with a mean of 5.9 inches. Growth appeared to be below the area average. Four year classes were present with fish ranging from 4 to 7 years. The only additional species sampled were golden shiner.

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

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

Marion has a maximum depth of 13 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Marion is from 2025.

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