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?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Bass Lake?

A standard survey of Bass Lake was conducted in early July of 2023. Two large frame trapnets (6'W x 5'H) were also set for Bluegill. In addition, an early June Largemouth Bass (mix of pre and post spawn fish) night electrofishing survey was conducted in 2023. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass).

Bass is a small (52 acres) and moderately productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. The maximum depth is 31 feet. A township public access with limited parking and turn around is located along the north shore. Residential development (11 homes) has occurred primarily along the north and west shoreline areas. Hardwoods dominate the east and south shorelines. Agricultural row crop drainage into the lake occurs via 3 inlets/tiles located along the west and north shores. Water levels were below normal in 2023. Recently, an existing tile line along the west side was repaired allowing more runoff to flow into Bass Lake during rain events. The crude log/mud outlet structure failed in 2002 because of erosion making fish movements more feasible and causing water-level to drop about 2 feet. Common Carp were sampled in both gillnets and trapnets in 2003 which was the first-time carp were sampled since 1979. Common Carp may have immigrated into Bass Lake after the outlet structure failed. The outlet structure was repaired in 2006 by SWCD, county, and state. The Bass Lake outlet connects to Tait's Lake. It continues flowing downstream thru two wetlands of which the furthest downstream wetland was the Diamond Lake Northern Pike Spawning Area "NPSA". The NPSA wetland flows under Kandiyohi County Road #4 and into the southwest corner of Diamond Lake. Kandiyohi County Road #4 was rerouted around to the west side of the Diamond Lake County Park in 2018. The Diamond Lake NPSA water control structure and fish barrier were removed due to the new culvert placement and road upgrades. However, this may increase fish movement from Diamond into Bass Lake during high water events if the Bass Lake outlet structure fails again. Water clarity was moderate (secchi=7.5 feet) on July 10, 2023. The total phosphorus level was relatively low (0.026 ppm) from a previous survey conducted on June 10, 2013. Dissolved oxygen was low (< 1 ppm) in water depths greater than 20 feet during a 2023 mid-summer profile. Algae blooms often occur during the late summer months or years with high precipitation and runoff events on Bass. No significant blue-green algae blooms were noted in the 2018 and 2023 surveys. Filamentous algae were abundant in Bass during the 2023 survey. Submergent vegetation densities (pondweed species) have been historically variable in the lake but were moderate during 2023. Curly-leaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil were not observed in the 2023 vegetation survey. However, Eurasian watermilfoil was found in Bass Lake later during 2023. The most frequently occurring aquatic vegetation species observed during the 2023 survey included water moss, filamentous algae, clasping-leaf pondweed, coontail, northern watermilfoil and sago pondweed. Emergent vegetation consists of yellow waterlily (southwest corner), reed canary grass (scattered stands around the lake), cattails (north shoreline) and leafy bulrush (north shoreline). Hardstem bulrush stands were not observed during 2023 in Bass Lake. Moderate stands of bulrush were present along the east and southeast near shore areas in 2013 and the east shore in 2018. Hardstem bulrush plants were transplanted into Bass Lake along the northeast and southwest corners of the lake in June of 1994. Shoalwater substrates consist mostly of sand, gravel, rubble and silt. A severe winterkill occurred during the 1996-97 winter due in part to heavy snow accumulations. Dissolved oxygen levels were adequate (> 6 ppm) during heavy snow accumulations of February/March 2019. Although winterkill (significant/partial) occurred in several area lakes (Point, Swenson, School Grove, Lady Slipper and Elizabeth) for the 2022-23 winter due to high snowfall accumulations, none occurred in Bass Lake. Anglers target primarily Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass in Bass Lake.

Largemouth Bass numbers (pre and post spawn) were abundant (148.00 fish/hour) in the 2023 early June night electrofishing survey. Abundant numbers and similar sizes were also captured (180.00 fish/hour) in the 2018 mid-June night electrofishing survey. The Largemouth Bass average size was moderate (11.56 inches and 1.17 pounds) in the 2023 early June electrofishing survey. The 2023 catch rate of preferred size (15.00 inches plus) largemouth bass was high (45.00 fish/hour). There were also abundant numbers of small (<8.00 inches) Largemouth Bass present in the 2023 early June electrofishing survey. Post spawn electrofishing surveys generally catch greater numbers of smaller or younger Largemouth bass than previous electrofishing surveys conducting during the spawning season. Largemouth Bass also tend to be found near docks, downed trees in the water or within submergent vegetation adjacent to deep water during post spawn conditions versus shallow spawning bay areas often containing bulrush. Largemouth Bass adults were stocked (22 fish) in Bass Lake during the spring of 1997 following the 1996-97 winterkill. One Smallmouth Bass was captured in the 1994 survey, but no Smallmouth Bass have been captured in other surveys since 1994.

Black Crappie abundance was low in 2023 (2.00 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 7.12 fish/trapnet. Low Black Crappie numbers were caught in 2018 survey (1.17 fish/trapnet). Abundant Black Crappie numbers (13.67 fish/trapnet, 8.72 inches) were captured in the 2013 survey. The Black Crappie average size was small (0.25 pounds and 7.64 inches) in the 2023 trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight and length are 0.28 pounds 7.78 inches respectively from trapnets. The 2023 Black Crappie catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches plus) was low (0.33 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie adults were stocked into Bass during the spring of 1997 (121 fish) and 2000 (532 fish).

Northern Pike were absent in 2018 and 2023 surveys. Northern Pike abundance was moderate in the 2013 survey (4.00 fish/gillnet, 27.03 inches). The northern pike historical average catch rate is 4.71 fish/gillnet. Northern Pike adults (48 fish) were stocked into Bass Lake during 1998. Although Northern Pike numbers are low, it is unlikely that Northern Pike have been totally absent from Bass Lake. Northern Pike possession limit regulations for Bass in the North-central Zone are as follows: anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26.0 inches; and all from 22.0 to 26.0 inches must be released. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22.0 and 26.0 inches or two larger than 26.0 inches.

Yellow Perch abundance was low (5.00 fish/gillnet, 0.83 fish/trapnet) in the 2023 survey. Yellow Perch were absent in 2018 and 2013 surveys. The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 19.41 fish/gillnet. The Yellow Perch average size was small (0.13 pounds and 6.58 inches) from all gears combined.

Walleye were absent in the 2023 survey. Walleye numbers were low (2.00 fish/gillnet and 0.17 fish/trapnet) in 2018. Walleye were absent in 2013 gillnet and trapnets. The Walleye historical catch rate is 1.32 fish/gillnet. The Walleye average size was 4.09 pounds in 2018 gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.64 pounds from gillnets. Walleye are not currently stocked in Bass.

Bluegill abundance was low (19.67 fish/trapnet) in 2023 compared to the historical average catch rate (35.95 fish/trapnet). The 2023 Bluegill average size was moderate (0.22 pounds and 6.37 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.19 pounds from trapnets. The 2023 Bluegill catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches plus) was moderate (11.33 fish/trapnet). The 2023 Bluegill catch rate of preferred size (8.00 inches plus) was low (1.67 fish/trapnet). Bluegill growth rates were excellent for ages 1-8. The 2020 and 2019 year classes comprised 64% and 26% respectively of the 2023 total Bluegill catch. Bluegill adults (2,415 fish) were stocked into Bass Lake during the spring of 1997 following the 1996-97 winterkill.

A total of three Bluegill (8.40 inches average) were captured in the two large frame trapnets. Low catchability of fish was probably due to fish swimming over the large frame net/lead because of the steep drop off.

Black Bullhead abundance was low (0.17 fish/trapnet) in the 2023 and 2013 surveys. Black Bullhead were absent in the 2018 survey. Yellow Bullhead abundance was also low (0.50 fish/trapnet) in the 2023 survey. Common Carp were absent in the 2023 survey. Common Carp abundance was high (5.00 fish/gillnet and 1.17 fish/trapnet) in 2018. The Common Carp average size was small (2.40 pounds) in the 2018 trapnets. No Common Carp were captured in the 2013 survey nets. The historical average catch rates are 12.82 Black Bullhead/trapnet, 1.27 Yellow Bullhead/trapnet and 0.97 Common Carp/gillnet.

Current fish management activities on Bass Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, periodic winter oxygen testing, participating in local watershed initiatives, protecting native aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Bass Lake fishery will be surveyed in 2028 for all fish species.

What is the average air temp for Bass Lake?

Are there any state parks near Bass Lake?