Cass Lake Fishing
Beltrami County and Cass County, 15,958 acres, 120 feet deep.
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Cass Lake in numbers
In Beltrami County and Cass County, Cass Lake spreads across 15,958 acres as a lake. It reaches 120 feet at its deepest point, with an average of 27.5 feet. Water shallower than 15 feet makes up 6,934 acres, or 43%. Census data put Cass Lake nearest, around 4 miles away. The Bemidji DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here. Muskie anglers will find muskellunge here; the DNR layer calls the population native.
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass, going by DNR survey records. Public use comes through 3 public water accesses. A large lake survey on September 18, 2025 is the newest on file. At 7.8 walleye per gill net, the catch ran within the 4.0-9.6 normal range. Ice usually leaves around April 27, the DNR median across 11 records.
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Read each row against its normal range; data from the large lake survey on September 18, 2025.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 156 | 7.8 | 4.0-9.6 | 2 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 52 | 2.6 | 3.0-7.9 | 3.49 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 948 | 47.4 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.28 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.06 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Muskellunge | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.1-0.3 | 5.65 | 3.1-5.3 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 112 | 5.6 | 0.5-5.2 | 0.38 | 0.4-1.0 |
| Lake whitefish | Standard gill nets | 7 | 0.35 | 0.1-0.9 | 2.17 | 1.0-3.0 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.14 | ||
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 77 | 3.85 | 1.0-6.6 | 0.39 | 0.3-0.5 |
| Burbot | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.05 | 0.1-0.2 | 0.34 | 1.1-2.7 |
| Yellow bullhead | Standard gill nets | 23 | 1.15 | 0.6-6.4 | 0.91 | 0.6-0.9 |
What the Cass Lake gill nets held
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Cass Lake
“Cass Lake is a nearly 16,000 acre lake and is the largest lake in the Cass Lake chain, which altogether includes over 25,000 acres of connected waters.”
“The lake has a mix of expansive, shallow flats and deeper water with lots of underwater structure.”
“Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Muskellunge are the most sought-after species.”
“While the Walleye population of Cass Lake is down a bit, there are fish distributed among numerous size and age classes.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Cass Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Cass Lake
- Cass Lake, Hwy 2 Access2 ramps, 24 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Cass Lake (E) Access1 ramp, 14 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, U.S. Forest Service
- Cass Lake, Norway Beach (S) Access1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, toilet, U.S. Forest Service
Fishing piers along Cass Lake
- Cass Lake Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Cass Lake
Landings neighboring Cass Lake
- Pike Bay (N) AccessPike Bay, 4 miles south
- Silver Lake Access near Cass LakeSilver, 4 miles northwest
- Andrusia Lake (S) AccessMississippi River, 4 miles west
- Mississippi River, Knutson Dam AccessMississippi River, 4 miles northeast
- Andrusia Lake (N) AccessAndrusia, 6 miles northwest
- Little Wolf Lake, Zoph Park AccessLittle Wolf, 6 miles west
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Cass Lake basin
Secchi disk readings on Cass Lake number 1, the first in 2025.
Cass Lake has lost its ice as soon as April 6, 2021 and as late as May 12, 2008.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Gauge readings for Cass Lake
Gauge readers send the DNR the Cass Lake readings; the newest is shown with its date.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Cass Lake fish list
The list for Cass Lake follows the DNR LakeFinder record of fish caught in surveys over the last ten years or the latest survey.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Keeping walleye and panfish from Cass Lake
These Cass Lake rules take precedence over statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sunfish | Daily limit five. | Cass Chain and connected waters Wolf, Ose, Andrusia, unnamed stream (Big Lake Creek), Mississippi River, Cass, Fox Creek |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 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 |
| 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 |
Zone rows for Cass Lake: North-central Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Who runs events on Cass Lake
Schedules and winners on Cass Lake are collected on a separate page.
Lakes near Cass Lake, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cass Lake | 15,958 | 120 | 3 | 7.8 | |
| Windigo Lake | under a mile southwest | 195 | 25 | 0 | 1 |
| Lost Lake, Beltrami County | 2 miles northwest | 130 | 31 | 0 | 1.33 |
| Buck Lake, Beltrami County | 3 miles north | 360 | 40 | 0 | 5.5 |
| Mission Lake | 4 miles northwest | 27 | 20 | 0 | 56 |
| Silver Lake near Cass Lake, Beltrami County | 4 miles northwest | 132 | 55 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Cass Lake on the map
Lakes neighboring Cass Lake
- Windigo Lakeunder a mile southwest
- Lost Lake, Beltrami County2 miles northwest
- Buck Lake, Beltrami County3 miles north
- Mission Lake4 miles northwest
- Silver Lake near Cass Lake, Beltrami County4 miles northwest
Where to grab leeches near Cass Lake
- New Era Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cass Lake, 6 miles
- Trapper's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 16 miles
- Northwoods Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 16 miles
- Kenkatch Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 17 miles
- Northwoods Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 17 miles
- Venture Custom Rodsbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 21 miles
Lodging towns close to Cass Lake
- Cass Lake3 miles
- Turtle River15 miles
- Bemidji16 miles
Cass Lake county pages
- Beltrami Countyseat: Bemidji
- Cass Countyseat: Walker
Piscifun tackle for a day on Cass Lake
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What Minnesota anglers ask about Cass Lake
Where in Minnesota is Cass Lake?
Beltrami County and Cass County holds it, managed from the Bemidji fisheries office, about 4 miles from Cass Lake.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Cass Lake?
About 15,958 acres, 120 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Cass Lake have?
3 public accesses, including Cass Lake, Hwy 2 Access.
Which fish has the DNR found in Cass Lake?
DNR surveys list walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and muskellunge.
How many walleye did the DNR net in Cass Lake?
On September 18, 2025, a large lake survey. walleye ran 7.8 per gill net.
What are the limits on Cass Lake?
Sunfish: Daily limit five.
What does a license for Cass Lake cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does the ice go out on Cass Lake?
The DNR median is April 27, with the latest record April 27, 2026.
Which shop is nearest Cass Lake?
Try New Era Tackle, around 6 miles off.
Get out on Cass Lake this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.