Kabetogama

Lake Kabetogama is part of the statewide Large Lake Program, an intensive fisheries management program on the 10 largest Walleye lakes in Minnesota. The Large Lake Program includes annual fish population assessments, annual water quality monitoring, and regularly scheduled creel surveys. A variety of sampling gear is used during population assessments to collect the various fish species and life stages. These gear types include gill nets, beach seines, and an electrofishing boat on Lake Kabetogama. Sampling for each gear type is conducted at the same time and place each year to determine population trends for the major species. Data is also collected on length, weight, age, and growth for each of the major species. The Walleye gill net catch rate in 2025 was 8.7 fish per net, which is similar to the long-term average for Lake Kabetogama. Walleye catch rates have generally been greater than average for Lake Kabetogama since 2015 due to good recruitment. Walleye gill net catches were at a historical low of 5.5 fish per gill net in 2014. The catch of Walleyes in our sampling increased in the following four surveys due to good year-classes of Walleyes from the 2015 and 2016 cohorts. These back-to-back year-classes mark the first time Kabetogama has produced two consecutive above average year-classes since the late 1980s. However, most of the fish from these year-classes have now grown into the protected slot range with the 2015 year-class averaging 20.2 inches long and the 2016 year-class averaging 19.8 inches long in 2025. The largest contributor to the 2025 Walleye gill net catch were age-1 fish from the 2024 year-class, composing 25.9 percent of the total number caught. Most of the Walleyes caught from the 2024 year-class were in the seven and eight-inch length groups and have the potential to be the next strong year-class. The 2020 year-class contributed an additional 14.4 percent of the 2025 catch and is a very strong year-class. Age-5 Walleyes from the 2020 year-class ranged from 14.4 to 18.8 inches and averaged 16.6 inches long in fall 2025. Overall, gill netted Walleyes ranged in length from 6.9 to 24.8 inches long and had an average length of 15.1 inches. There is an experimental regulation for Walleye on Lake Kabetogama; an 18-26 inch protected slot, with one fish allowed over 26 inches, and a four-fish bag limit. The goal of the regulation is to keep harvest at a safe level and maintain adequate spawning stock. Lake Kabetogama is home to a fishable Sauger population. The 2025 catch rate of 3.2 per gill net was slightly below average but similar to recent surveys. Consistent recruitment has resulted in relatively stable Sauger numbers in recent years. Kabetogama has been producing strong year-classes every two to three years. The most recent strong year-classes produced were in 2017 and 2020. Age-5 Sauger dominated the 2025 catch totaling 60.3 percent of the total catch, followed by age-1 Sauger representing 11.1 percent of the catch. The 2020 year-class (age-5) ranged in length from 10.4 to 14.3 inches. Overall, 2025 gill netted Sauger ranged length from 7.9 to 16.5 inches and averaged 12.1 inches. Gill net catches of Northern Pike have historically been variable at a low level but appear to be increasing slightly over the past 15 years. The 2025 gill net catch of Northern Pike was greater than the historic average but lower than recent years. Northern Pike grow relatively fast and reach large and even trophy sizes. Pike ranged from 15.8 to 40.5 inches in 2025 gill nets. The average length was 23.7 inches. Large Northern Pike over 40 inches are frequently caught in gill net surveys and reported by anglers. Overall, good opportunities for large pike exist for those willing to work for them. Yellow Perch numbers have increased in recent years in Lake Kabetogama. The 2025 gill net catch rate was less than recent years but still above average with a catch rate of 8.8 per gill net. The 2020 year-classes appears to be one of the strongest ever produced on Kabetogama. The 2020 year-class composed 18.7 percent of the 2025 gill net catch and ranged in size from 9.4 to 11.2 inches long, but most individuals were in the nine and 10-inch length groups. Age-1 Yellow Perch from the 2024 year-class composed the largest component of the Yellow Perch catch in 2025 at 24.8 percent of the total. Overall, Perch ranged from 4.8 to 11.8 inches long and averaged 8.2 inches in 2025. Yellow Perch size structure has improved over time providing more opportunity for anglers to harvest quality-sized fish. Twenty-seven percent of the 2025 Yellow Perch were 10 inches or greater in length. Lake Kabetogama is home to a good Smallmouth Bass fishery both in numbers and size structure. Bass numbers have increased in our sampling gear as well as in angler catches in recent years. Smallmouth Bass over 19 inches long are regularly caught during surveys. Lake Kabetogama is infested with spiny waterfleas and zebra mussels. Anglers and boaters should always take preventative measures to avoid moving invasive species to other lakes. For more information on invasive species and other DNR programs, go to the DNR website at mndnr.gov.

Lake Kabetogama is part of the statewide Large Lake Program, an intensive fisheries management program on the 10 largest Walleye lakes in Minnesota. The Large Lake Program includes annual fish population assessments, annual water quality monitoring, and regularly scheduled creel surveys. A variety of sampling gear is used during population assessments to collect the various fish species and life stages. These gear types include gill nets, beach seines, and an electrofishing boat on Lake Kabetogama. Sampling for each gear type is conducted at the same time and place each year to determine population trends for the major species. Data is also collected on length, weight, age, and growth for each of the major species. The Walleye gill net catch rate in 2024 was 8.4 fish/net, which is a little less than the long-term average for Lake Kabetogama. Walleye catch rates have generally been greater than average for Lake Kabetogama since 2015 due to good recruitment. Walleye gill net catches were at a historical low of 5.5 fish/net in 2014. The catch of Walleyes in our sampling increased in the following four surveys due to good year-classes of Walleyes from the 2015 and 2016 cohorts. These back-to-back year-classes mark the first time Kabetogama has produced two consecutive above average year-classes since the late 1980s. However, most of the fish from these year-classes have now grown into the protected slot range with the 2016 year-class averaging 20.1 inches long in 2024. The largest contributor to the 2024 Walleye gill net catch were age-4 fish from the 2020 year-class, composing 27.4 percent of the total number caught. The 2020 year-class was caught in record numbers as age-0 fish in the 2020 netting due in part to exceptional growth. They were caught in above average numbers in each subsequent survey and are now considered a strong year-class. Age-4 Walleyes ranged from 11.9 to 18.5 inches and averaged 14.7 inches long in 2024. Overall, gill netted Walleyes ranged in length from 5.3 to 27.0 inches long and had an average length of 16.3 inches. There is an experimental special regulation for Walleye on Lake Kabetogama; an 18-26 inch protected slot, with one fish allowed over 26 inches, and a four-fish bag limit. The goal of the regulation is to keep harvest at a safe level and maintain adequate spawning stock. Lake Kabetogama is home to a fishable Sauger population. The 2024 catch rate of 4.1 per gill net was above average and an increase from lower numbers in the past four surveys. A strong 2017 year-class followed by a very strong 2020 year-class led to increased catch rate. Age-4 Sauger composed the largest group making up 57.3 percent of the total catch in 2024, followed by age-3 Sauger representing 13.4 percent of the catch. The 2017 year-class (age-7) ranged in length from 13.3 to 15.0 inches long and averaged 14.4 inches in 2024. The 2020 year-class (age-4) is the most recent strong year-class of Sauger in Lake Kabetogama and ranged in length from 9.4 to 13.8 inches long. Most individuals from the 2020 year-class were in the 11- and 12-inch length groups in 2024. Lake Kabetogama has historically produced a strong Sauger year-class every 3-5 years on average. The 2024 gill net catch of Northern Pike was 3.2 fish/net, greater than the historic average and similar to recent years. Gill net catches of Northern Pike have historically been variable at a low level on Lake Kabetogama but appear to be increasing slightly over the past 15 years. Northern Pike grow relatively fast and reach large and even trophy sizes. Pike ranged from 9.9 to 39.4 inches in 2024 gill nets. The average length was 24.4 inches. Large Northern Pike over 40 inches are often caught in gill net surveys and reported by anglers. Yellow Perch numbers have increased in recent years in Lake Kabetogama. The 2024 gill net catch rate followed that trend with an above average catch rate at 12.0 per gill net. The 2018 and 2020 year-classes appear strong on Kabetogama. The 2020 year-class composed 30.0 percent of the 2024 gill net catch and ranged in size from 7.4 to 11.4 inches long, but most individuals were in the eight to 10-inch length groups. Age-3 Yellow Perch from the 2021 year-class added an additional 22.2 percent to the 2024 total and ranged from 6.4 to 9.0 inches long. Overall, Perch ranged from 2.9 to 12.1 inches long and averaged 8.2 inches in 2024. Yellow Perch size structure has improved over time providing more opportunity for anglers to harvest quality-sized fish. Lake Kabetogama is home to a good Smallmouth Bass fishery both in numbers and size structure. Bass numbers have increased in our sampling gear as well as in angler catches in recent years. Smallmouth Bass over 19 inches long are regularly caught during surveys. Lake Kabetogama is infested with spiny waterfleas. Anglers and boaters should always take preventative measures to avoid moving invasive species to other lakes. For more information on invasive species and other DNR programs, go to the DNR website at mndnr.gov.

Lake Kabetogama is part of the statewide Large Lake Program, an intensive fisheries management program on the 10 largest lakes in Minnesota. The Large Lake Program includes annual fish population assessments, annual water quality monitoring, and regularly scheduled creel surveys. A variety of sampling gear is used during population assessments to collect the various fish species and life stages. These gear types include gill nets, beach seines, and an electrofishing boat on Lake Kabetogama. Sampling for each gear type is conducted at the same time and place each year to determine population trends for the major species. Data is also collected on length, weight, age, and growth for each of the major species. The Walleye gill net catch rate in 2023 was 8.2 fish/net, which is a little less than the long-term average for Lake Kabetogama. Walleye catch rates have generally been greater than average for Lake Kabetogama since 2015 due to good recruitment. Walleye gill net catches were at a historical low of 5.5 fish/net in 2014. The catch of Walleyes in our sampling increased in the following four surveys due to good year-classes of Walleyes from the 2015 and 2016 cohorts. These back-to-back year-classes mark the first time Kabetogama has produced two consecutive above average year-classes since the late 1980s. However, most of the fish from these year-classes have now grown into the protected slot range with the 2016 year-class averaging 19.5 inches and the 2015 year-class averaging 19.7 inches long in 2023. The largest contributor to the 2023 Walleye gill net catch were age-3 fish from the 2020 year-class, composing 34.1 percent of the total number caught. The 2020 year-class was caught in record numbers as age-0 fish in the 2020 netting due in part to exceptional growth. They were caught in above average numbers as age-1 and age-2 fish and are now considered a strong year-class. Age-3 Walleyes ranged from 8.5 to 16.0 inches and averaged 12.8 inches long in 2023. Overall, gill netted Walleyes ranged in length from 7.0 to 25.9 inches long and had an average length of 14.9 inches. There is a special regulation for Walleye on Lake Kabetogama; an 18-26 inch protected slot, with one fish allowed over 26 inches, and a four-fish bag limit. The goal of the regulation is to keep harvest at a safe level and maintain adequate spawning stock. Lake Kabetogama is home to a fishable Sauger population. The 2023 catch rate of 3.1 per gill net was below average and slightly less than 2022. A strong 2015 year-class followed by a strong 2017 year-class led to increased catch rates from 2017-2019. Only two individuals from the 2015 year-class were caught in 2023 nets. Age-3 Sauger composed the largest group making up 55.0 percent of the total catch in 2023, followed by age-6 Sauger representing 13.3 percent of the catch. The 2017 year-class (age-6) ranged in length from 12.4 to 15.7 inches long and averaged 14.4 inches in 2023. The 2020 year-class (age-3) is the most recent strong year-class of Sauger in Lake Kabetogama and ranged in length from 8.7 to 13.2 inches long. Most individuals from the 2020 year-class were in the 10- and 11-inch length groups in 2023. Lake Kabetogama has historically produced a strong Sauger year-class every 3-5 years on average. The 2023 gill net catch of Northern Pike was 3.8 fish/net, greater than the historic average and similar to recent years. Gill net catches of Northern Pike have historically been variable at a low level on Lake Kabetogama but appear to be increasing slightly over the past 15 years. Northern Pike grow relatively fast and reach large and even trophy sizes. Pike ranged from 11.5 to 37.9 inches in 2023 gill nets. The average length was 23.3 inches. Large Northern Pike over 40 inches are often caught in gill net surveys. Yellow Perch numbers have increased in recent years in Lake Kabetogama. The 2023 gill net catch rate followed that trend with an above average catch rate at 8.8 per gill net. The 2017 and 2020 year-classes appear strong on Kabetogama. The 2020 year-class composed 39.8 percent of the 2023 gill net catch and ranged in size from 6.2 to 10.1 inches long, but most individuals were in the six to eight-inch length groups. Age-2 Yellow Perch from the 2021 year-class added an additional 28.8 percent to the 2023 total and ranged from 5.1 to 7.3 inches long. Overall, Perch ranged from 4.8 to 12.8 inches long and averaged 8.0 inches in 2023. Yellow Perch size structure has improved over time providing more opportunity for anglers to harvest quality-sized fish. Lake Kabetogama is home to a good Smallmouth Bass fishery both in numbers and size structure. Bass numbers have increased in our sampling gear as well as in angler catches in recent years. Smallmouth Bass over 19 inches long are regularly caught during surveys. Lake Kabetogama is known to be infested with spiny waterfleas. Anglers and boaters should always take preventative measures to avoid moving invasive species to other lakes. For more information on invasive species and other DNR programs, go to the DNR website at mndnr.gov.

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

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

Kabetogama has a maximum depth of 80 feet and a mean depth of 29.9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Kabetogama has confirmed spiny waterflea and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.