Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 17, 2024
Pokegama Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Pokegama Lake average 6.64 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 22 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 17, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 2–2 inches. In Itasca County, Minnesota, Pokegama Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 16.1 feet of visibility, and there are 5 public boat landings. 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 Pokegama Lake
19 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 Pokegama 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
5 public boat landings are recorded on Pokegama 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 Pokegama Lake average 6.64 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 22 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 17, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 2–2 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Pokegama Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
22 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-06-17 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 20.68 | 0.12 lb |
| Bluegill | 8.54 | 0.21 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 6.64 | 0.83 lb |
| Smallmouth Bass | 4.68 | 1.39 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.
Yellow Perch
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
From the 2024-06-17 survey
Pokegama Lake is in ecological lake class 22 and is located just southwest of Grand Rapids, MN, in the Mississippi River Watershed. The lake is 6,721 acres and has a maximum depth of 112 feet. Area Fisheries staff conducted a targeted survey setting 15 trap nets on 16 June, 2024 and began nearshore fish species…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Pokegama Lake. 5 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — PokegamaFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Pokegama (0554)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Pokegama (0556)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — PokegamaFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — PokegamaPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Pokegama Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Pokegama Lake average 6.64 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 22 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 17, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 2–2 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 19 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 Pokegama Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Pokegama Lake is dated June 17, 2024. 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 Pokegama Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Pokegama 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 Pokegama Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Pokegama Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. 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 Pokegama Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Pokegama Lake
Planning a trip to Pokegama Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Pokegama Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.