Bass Lake

Bass Lake near 47.3319, -93.6744 is a lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. Bass Lake covers about 2,714 acres, reaches a recorded 76 feet and holds about 55,528 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Bass Lake Affect Fishing

Bass Lake is too large to fish all at once, so pick one group of coves and points and stay there long enough to learn what the fish are using.

Fish and Baits at Bass Lake

Fish reported from Bass Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, burbot, central mudminnow, cisco, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, longear sunfish, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Bass Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Bass Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and longear sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Bass Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Bass Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Bass Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at Bass Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.

Rock Bass

At Bass Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.

Cisco and Burbot

For other cold-water fish at Bass Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling, and fish a glow jig or natural bait close to bottom after dark for burbot.

How the Seasons Change Bass Lake

Spring at Bass Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer fishing is usually better in cooler, deeper water. Fall at Bass Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Bass Lake

On a first trip to Bass Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Useful Tackle for Bass Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Bass Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.

Bass Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 2,714-acre Bass Lake?

At Bass Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 76-foot deep end of Bass Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Bass Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 55,528 acre-foot storage figure mean at Bass Lake?

At Bass Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.