Basswood Lake Fishing
Lake County, 25,953 acres, 111 feet deep.
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Basswood Lake, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Basswood Lake, a lake in Lake County, at 25,953 acres. Maximum depth is 111 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 7,034 acres (27%). Winton is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 13 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Tower manages it. It falls under the Canada-Minnesota border water regulations.
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The last DNR standard survey ran on August 1, 2022. Walleye catch rates sat above normal: 15.45 per gill net against 0.6-9.7.
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The standard survey of August 1, 2022 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 309 | 15.45 | 0.6-9.7 | 1.5 | 1.1-3.3 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.22 | 0.8-2.9 | 3.04 | |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 61 | 3.05 | 0.3-1.0 | 3.27 | 2.7-5.3 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 53 | 2.3 | 2.31 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 241 | 12.05 | 0.3-2.8 | 0.07 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 27 | 1.17 | 0.3-2.3 | 0.22 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 68 | 3.4 | 0.5 | ||
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 41 | 1.78 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 21 | 1.05 | 0.49 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 213 | 9.26 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.21 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.13 | 3.4 | 1.64 | 0.3 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 17 | 0.85 | 0.3-2.2 | 1.59 | 0.7-1.4 |
Basswood Lake gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Basswood Lake
“Basswood Lake is a large, sprawling body of water located northeast of Ely and lies partly along the Canadian border.”
“The whole lake is 25,953 acres with 14,071 acres in Minnesota and 11,882 in Ontario.”
“All of the water in Minnesota is within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).”
“Areas on the west side (Jackfish and Pipestone Bays), south central (Back, Hoist, and Wind Bays), and the east side (Inlet and south of Bailey Bay) allow 25 hp motor use.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Basswood Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Basswood Lake
Water accesses near Basswood Lake
- Wood Lake Access near WintonWood, 6 miles south
- Tofte Lake AccessTofte, 7 miles south
- Rookie Pond AccessRookie, 7 miles south
- Moose Lake Access near WintonMoose, 7 miles southeast
- Glacier Pit, Forest Rd 557 AccessGlacier Pond 1, 7 miles south
- Ojibway Lake (N) AccessOjibway, 7 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Basswood Lake basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 13 Secchi readings on Basswood Lake since 2015.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Fish found in Basswood Lake
Every species shown for Basswood Lake turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Basswood Lake
Basswood Lake carries special regulations, and they override the statewide rows below for those species.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit two, only one over 40". Season is continuous. | Including Jackfish, Pipestone, Hoist and Back bays |
| Sunfish | Daily limit five. | Including Jackfish, Pipestone, Hoist and Back bays |
Canada-Minnesota season table for Basswood Lake
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | All Canada-Minnesota border waters except exceptions below | 6 combined total (only 1 over 20" in possession) | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Lake of the Woods and tributaries from mouth to upstream boundaries listed on p. 67 | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Four Mile Bay (southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – April 14 each year |
| Walleye and sauger | Four Mile Bay (southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Namakan, Sand Point and Little Vermilion lakes | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released; only 1 walleye over 26") | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy Lake | 8 (not more than 4 can be walleye; walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released; only 1 walleye over 26") | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy River (mouth to the dam at International Falls and all tributaries from the mouth to the upstream boundaries liste | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – April 14 each year |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy River (mouth to the dam at International Falls and tributaries) | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Saganaga Lake | 3 (only 1 walleye over 20") | May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Northern pike | All Canada-Minnesota border waters except exceptions below | 3 (only 1 over 30" in possession) | Continuous |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Basswood Lake sits in the Northeast Zone by map position, which sets the pike and bass rows.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Heaviest fish from Basswood Lake
| Species | Weight | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | 45 lb 12 oz | 1929-05-16 | non certified weight |
| Smallmouth Bass | 2024-06-25 | catch and release | |
| Northern Pike | 2021-06-19 | catch and release |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out. All records.
Sizing up Basswood Lake against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basswood Lake | 25,953 | 111 | 0 | 15.45 | |
| Indiana Lake | 3 miles south | 143 | 31 | 0 | |
| Good Lake | 4 miles south | 175 | 51 | 0 | 1.33 |
| Wind Lake | 4 miles southeast | 926 | 32 | 0 | 5.22 |
| Washte Lake | 5 miles southeast | 81 | 7 | 0 | |
| Witness Lake | 5 miles southeast | 41 | 19 | 0 | 9 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Basswood Lake
More Minnesota lakes near Basswood Lake
- Indiana Lake3 miles south
- Good Lake4 miles south
- Wind Lake4 miles southeast
- Washte Lake5 miles southeast
- Witness Lake5 miles southeast
Minnow buckets filled near Basswood Lake
- Williams and Hall Outfitterssporting goods store, Ely, 7 miles
- Boundary Waters Outfitterssporting goods store, Ely, 13 miles
- Spirit of the Wildernessfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Ely, 15 miles
- Voyageur North Outfitterssporting goods store, Ely, 15 miles
- Skube's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Ely, 15 miles
- The Great Outdoorssporting goods store, Ely, 16 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Basswood Lake
- Winton13 miles
- Ely15 miles
- Babbitt32 miles
Counties that Basswood Lake reaches
- Lake Countyseat: Two Harbors
Four Piscifun picks for Basswood Lake
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Fish to look for at Basswood Lake
Photo: Georg Mittenecker, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Rob Foster, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Tommy Andriollo, CC BY 4.0
Handy answers on Basswood Lake
Which DNR office covers Basswood Lake?
In Lake County, managed from the Tower fisheries office, about 13 miles from Winton.
What is the maximum depth of Basswood Lake?
The DNR record gives 25,953 acres, 111 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Basswood Lake?
No point in the DNR access layer; 0 accesses in LakeFinder.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Basswood Lake?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
When did the DNR last survey Basswood Lake?
August 1, 2022, in a standard survey. walleye ran 15.45 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Basswood Lake?
Northern Pike: All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit two, only one over 40". Season is continuous.; Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Do kids need a license on Basswood Lake?
On border water a Minnesota license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) works under the shared rules; on Canadian water the Canadian portion needs a Canadian license.
How clear is Basswood Lake?
Average clarity: 10.7 feet.
Where are minnows sold near Basswood Lake?
Drive 7 miles to reach Williams and Hall Outfitters.
Plan a lake day on Basswood Lake
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.