Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 7, 2021
Bass Lake FishingCWater-quality grade C
Minnesota DNR surveys at Bass Lake average 45.42 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 7, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–15 inches. In Otter Tail County, Minnesota, Bass Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of C. Water clarity averages 8.5 feet of visibility, and the lake has public access. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Bass Lake
7 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Bass Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Bass Lake average 45.42 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 7, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–15 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Bass Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
5 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2021-06-07 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 135.23 | 0.78 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 45.42 | 0.96 lb |
| Bluegill | 37.93 | 0.25 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 19.70 | 0.11 lb |
| Northern Pike | 13.54 | 2.93 lb |
| Walleye | 11.23 | 2.59 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Black Bullhead
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
From the 2021-06-07 survey
Bass lake is a 292-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in south-central Otter Tail County. The town of Underwood, MN abuts the southeast shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 36 feet; however, 47% of the…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Bass Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — BassFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — BassFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — BassPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Bass Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Bass Lake average 45.42 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 7, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–15 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 7 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Bass Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Bass Lake is dated June 7, 2021. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Bass Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Bass Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Bass Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Bass Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Bass Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Bass Lake
Planning a trip to Bass Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Bass Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.