Bass Lake

How big is Bass Lake?

How deep is Bass Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Bass Lake?

What are the closest cities to Bass Lake?

Are there boat launches on Bass Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Bass Lake?

Bass Lake is a small, moderately fertile lake located in northeastern Kanabec and western Pine counties. Although much of the lake is less the 15 feet, water clarity is higher than most area lakes. The water clarity during the summer ranges from 2 to 11 feet from the surface, and the color varies from light green to clear with occasional bog stain (clear-brown) tint. Rolling hills bound the shoreline with soil types dominated by sandy loam, clay and glacial till. The shoreline is approximately 50% developed with the remaining lake frontage consisting of bogs, woodland and farmland. Bass Lake is managed primarily for walleye, largemouth bass, and northern pike. The current management plan includes the annual stocking of 147 pounds of walleye fingerlings. A public access is located on the northwest shore with parking for approximately seven rigs.

During the week of August 29, 2011, Bass Lake was surveyed to evaluate the present fish population. Sampling consisted of six gill net sets, nine trap net sets, and night electrofishing for largemouth bass.

Despite the shift back from fry to fingerling stocking in 2003, the walleye abundance remains low compared to similar lakes. The single walleye sampled by the gill nets was from the 2003 year class. Eleven walleye were captured during the bass electrofishing. Though these fish weren't aged, their lengths indicated they were likely a result of the 2006 and 2010 fingerling stockings. Walleye currently provide a bonus opportunity to angler targeting other fish species in Bass Lake.

The northern pike catch was 6.3 per set, a typical level compared to similar lakes. Northern size remains an issue. The average pike was 17.1 inches and 1.0 pounds. None of the pike sampled in the nets reached 24 inches in length, however longer fish were captured during the bass electrofishing. Although they were relatively young (most northerns were 2, 3, or 4 years old), growth was slow compared to the statewide rate.

One hour and twenty minutes of electrofishing the night of June 1st sampled 48 largemouth bass, yielding the highest catch rate for Bass Lake (38 bass/hr.). Bass ranged from 5.7 to 20.3 inches in length with 60% of the catch exceeding 12 inches. Five years of growth was required to reach this 12 inch mark.

Compared to both similar lakes and prior Bass Lake assessments, bluegill and black crappie numbers were low and high respectively. One third of the bluegill captured exceeded 7 inches while 30% of the crappies surpassed the 9 inch mark.

In summary, Bass is a small lake with good water clarity that receives light angling pressure. A quality largemouth bass and black crappie fishery is present with additional opportunity for smaller sized northern pike and the occasional larger walleye.

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Are there any state parks near Bass Lake?