Minnesota · Itasca County
Bass Lake Fishing guide
Bass Lake sits in Itasca County, Minnesota, and covers 2,715 acres, reaching 76 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 13.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 18 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.2per gill net15"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 6 fish
2023Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 63 fish
2021Lengths measured · 53 fish
2014Lengths measured · 75 fish
2010Largemouth bassFair numbers25.7per hr (electrofishing)5"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2024Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2023Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2021Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 25 fish
2014Smallmouth bassPresent2.7per gill net16"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 40 fish
2021Lengths measured · 24 fish
2014Lengths measured · 25 fish
2010Lengths measured · 1 fish
2005Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeFair numbers6.8per gill net17"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 125 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 12 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2023Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 107 fish
2021Lengths measured · 97 fish
2014BluegillJust a few7.4per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 338 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 121 fish
2024Lengths measured · 135 fish
2023Lengths measured · 82 fish
2021Lengths measured · 84 fish
2014CrappieJust a few0.5per trap net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2023Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 29 fish
2021Lengths measured · 6 fish
2014Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchGood numbers7.1per gill net6"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 121 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 2 fish
2024Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2023Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 116 fish
2021Lengths measured · 85 fish
2014Rock bassExcellent numbers3.2per gill net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 75 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2024Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2023Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 57 fish
2021Lengths measured · 31 fish
2014Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Bass Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 13.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 76 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 13.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 76 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | — | 17" | 26" |
| 2023 | 24" | 17" | 18" |
| 2021 | 26" | 18" | 31" |
| 2014 | 23" | 18" | 25" |
| 2010 | 23" | — | 34" |
| 2008 | 26" | 17" | 27" |
| 2005 | 23" | 14" | 28" |
| 1998 | 27" | 5" | 35" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry · 1,567 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 940,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 940,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 940,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 940,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 940,000 fry · 2,000 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 940,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 940,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 940,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Bass Lake on August 6th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 22.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 28.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 6.5 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 14.5 degrees C (58.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2023 and 2024 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Bass Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Bass Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Bass Lake (NE) (trailer launch)
- Bass Lake (SW) (trailer launch)
- Bass Lake (W) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Bass Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Bass Lake · 161 ac · 2.6 mi
- Shoal Lake · 676 ac · 3.4 mi
- McAvity Lake · 147 ac · 4.6 mi
- Deer Lake · 4,094 ac · 4.6 mi
- Little Jay Gould Lake · 150 ac · 5 mi
- Guile Lake · 88 ac · 5.1 mi
- Little Deer Lake · 67 ac · 5.2 mi
- Prairie Lake · 1,331 ac · 5.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Bass Lake?
Bass Lake reaches 76 ft at its deepest point; about 46% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Bass Lake?
Bass Lake covers 2,715 acres with about 24.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Bass Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Bass Lake average 13.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Bass Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Bass Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Bass Lake have a public access?
Yes. Bass Lake has 3 public access sites, including Bass Lake (NE) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Bass Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Bass Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Bass Lake in 2025, the most recent of 18 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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