Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County Fishing
Itasca County, 1,855 acres, 50 feet deep.
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The short version on Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County is a lake of 1,855 acres in Itasca County. Depth bottoms out near 50 feet, with an average of 8.6 feet. 1,413 acres, about 76% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 12 miles reaches Effie, the nearest city. It falls under the Grand Rapids area fisheries office.
Recent DNR surveys found walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are 1 public water access around the lake. The most recent standard survey dates to July 28, 2025. The walleye catch of 5 per gill net was within the DNR normal range of 3.3-8.8. Median ice-out since 1950 is April 25, from 18 records.
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From the standard survey completed July 28, 2025: catch, catch per set and average weight against the DNR normal ranges.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 65 | 5 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.25 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.2-0.8 | 1.53 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 70 | 5.38 | 2.8-9.0 | 2.38 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 10 | 0.67 | 1.97 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 56 | 4.31 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.73 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.15 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.23 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.61 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 3 | 0.2 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.24 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.38 | 0.27 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 155 | 10.33 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.38 | 0.3-1.4 | 0.47 | 0.5-1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 60 | 4 | 0.3-1.3 | 0.12 | 0.2-0.8 |
Gill net catch on Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
“Deer Lake is a 1,748-acre lake about 14 miles east of Effie.”
“It's part of a three-lake chain that flows west into the Bigfork River.”
“The lake has a lot of shallow water (about three-quarters of the lake is less than 15 feet deep), with a maximum depth of 50 feet.”
“Water clarity in 2025 was moderate, with about 11 feet of visibility.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Deer Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
- Deer Lake Access near Effie1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Forestry
Public accesses close to Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
- Pickerel Lake Access near EffiePickerel, 1 mile southeast
- Elbow Lake Access near EffieElbow, 2 miles north
- Erksine Lake AccessErskine, 2 miles south
- Sucker Lake Access near EffieSucker, 3 miles south
- Duck Lake Access near EffieDuck, 3 miles southwest
- Bass Lake Access near EffieBass, 4 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
6 clarity readings on Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County date from 2007 onward.
Extremes in the Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County ice-out record: April 3, 2010 early, May 13, 1996 late.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
How high Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County is running
Readings in the DNR record for Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County come from gauge readers, so each one is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish swimming in Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
Survey catches from the DNR set this Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County rules from the DNR booklet
The DNR posts these special limits on Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sunfish | Daily limit five. |
| 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 |
By location Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County belongs to the North-central Zone; check posted boundaries near the lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
How Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County | 1,855 | 50 | 1 | 5 | |
| Pickerel Lake, Itasca County | 1 mile southeast | 241 | 70 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Little Bass Lake near Effie, Itasca County | 2 miles northeast | 26 | 72 | 0 | |
| Battle Lake, Itasca County | 2 miles east | 243 | 15 | 0 | 0.83 |
| Poplar Lake, Itasca County | 2 miles northeast | 112 | 50 | 0 | |
| Erskine Lake, Itasca County | 3 miles south | 40 | 56 | 1 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
Lakes one stop past Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
- Pickerel Lake, Itasca County1 mile southeast
- Little Bass Lake near Effie, Itasca County2 miles northeast
- Battle Lake, Itasca County2 miles east
- Poplar Lake, Itasca County2 miles northeast
- Erskine Lake, Itasca County3 miles south
Bait shops an easy drive from Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
- Peg McMahons Baitbait and tackle shop, Bigfork, 14 miles
Towns to stay in near Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
- Effie12 miles
- Bigfork14 miles
- Nett Lake24 miles
Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County and its counties
- Itasca Countyseat: Grand Rapids
Reels and a weigh grip for Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
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Catches common at Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County
Photo: Georg Mittenecker, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County in?
Look in Itasca County, managed from the Grand Rapids fisheries office, about 12 miles from Effie.
How does Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 1,855 acres, 50 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County?
1 public access; Deer Lake Access near Effie is one.
Which fish can I hook in Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
What did the last survey of Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County find?
The newest is a standard survey from July 28, 2025. walleye ran 5 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County?
Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Which Minnesota license do I need on Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Is there a level gauge on Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County?
Ice usually leaves near April 25; most recently May 10, 2022.
Who sells leeches near Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County?
Peg McMahons Bait, about 14 miles away.
Add Deer Lake near Effie, Itasca County to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.