Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 24, 2021
Norway Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Norway Lake average 8.78 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 24, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 10–29 inches. In Cass County, Minnesota, Norway Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 6.9 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. 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 Norway Lake
14 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 Norway Lake
No stocking record for Norway Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is an absence in the published record, not a confirmation that the lake is unstocked — some waters are managed as naturally reproducing and never appear in a stocking list at all.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Norway Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Norway Lake average 8.78 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 24, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 10–29 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Norway Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is declining. 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: 2021-06-24 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 27.42 | 0.17 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 13.12 | 0.16 lb |
| Northern Pike | 8.78 | 1.55 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 8.75 | 0.16 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 5.88 | 0.58 lb |
| White Sucker | 3.22 | 2.47 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.
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Pumpkinseed
From the 2021-06-24 survey
While there was a fair number of fish caught during the 2021 survey on Norway Lake, no species really stood out as a species to travel to the lake and target. Northern Pike numbers were the high at 20.8/gill net and average size was 20.4". While 28% fell within the 22-26" protected slot there were plenty below (60%)…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Norway Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — NorwayFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Norway (1507)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — NorwayPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Norway Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Norway Lake average 8.78 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 24, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 10–29 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 14 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 Norway Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Norway Lake is dated June 24, 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 Norway Lake stocked?
No stocking record for Norway Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is not the same as a confirmed unstocked lake: it means no stocking document was published for it in the records this page draws on.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Norway Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Norway Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is declining. 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 Norway Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Norway Lake
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