Kabetogama Lake Fishing
St. Louis County and Koochiching County, 24,034 acres, 80 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region, Public domain
The short version on Kabetogama Lake
Kabetogama Lake is a lake of 24,034 acres in St. Louis County and Koochiching County. Depth bottoms out near 80 feet, with an average of 29.9 feet. 7,169 acres, about 30% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 21 miles reaches Ranier, the nearest city. It falls under the International Falls area fisheries office.
Recent DNR surveys found walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are 4 public water accesses around the lake. The most recent large lake survey dates to June 11, 2025. The walleye catch of 8.7 per gill net was within the DNR normal range of 3.6-10.8. Median ice-out since 1950 is April 30, from 85 records.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 DNR survey results for Kabetogama Lake
From the large lake survey completed June 11, 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 | 174 | 8.7 | 3.6-10.8 | 1.59 | 0.8-1.3 |
| Walleye | Fall electrofishing | 325 | 178.63 | 0.05 | ||
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 53 | 2.65 | 1.1-2.4 | 3.64 | 2.8-4.3 |
| Northern pike | Survey seining | 12 | 0.24 | |||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 175 | 8.75 | 1.4-6.8 | 0.35 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Survey seining | 6,595 | 131.9 | |||
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 6 | 0.3 | 0.2-0.8 | 0.62 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Survey seining | 893 | 17.86 | |||
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 6 | 0.3 | 0.64 | ||
| Bluegill | Survey seining | 1 | 0.02 | |||
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 23 | 1.15 | 0.2-0.6 | 1.26 | 0.7-1.2 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard electrofishing | 124 | 40.27 | 0.85 |
Gill net catch on Kabetogama Lake by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Kabetogama Lake
“Lake Kabetogama is part of the statewide Large Lake Program, an intensive fisheries management program on the 10 largest Walleye lakes in Minnesota.”
“The Large Lake Program includes annual fish population assessments, annual water quality monitoring, and regularly scheduled creel surveys.”
“A variety of sampling gear is used during population assessments to collect the various fish species and life stages.”
“These gear types include gill nets, beach seines, and an electrofishing boat on Lake Kabetogama.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Kabetogama Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Kabetogama Lake
- Kabetogama Lake (E) Ash River Visitor Center Access2 ramps, 60 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, National Park Service
- Kabetogama Lake (NE), Wooden Frog Access2 ramps, 18 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Kabetogama Lake (SW) Kabetogama Visitor Center Access2 ramps, 25 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, National Park Service
- Kabetogama Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 3 trailer stalls, St. Louis County
Public accesses close to Kabetogama Lake
- Ash River (S) AccessAsh River, 8 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Kabetogama Lake
11 clarity readings on Kabetogama Lake date from 2007 onward.
Extremes in the Kabetogama Lake ice-out record: April 1, 2012 early, May 18, 1996 late.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Fish swimming in Kabetogama Lake
Survey catches from the DNR set this Kabetogama Lake species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Kabetogama Lake rules from the DNR booklet
The DNR posts these special limits on Kabetogama Lake.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and Sauger | Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. | Including Sullivan Bay and Ash River to Ash River Falls |
| 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 |
By location Kabetogama Lake belongs to the Northeast Zone; check posted boundaries near the lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
How Kabetogama Lake stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kabetogama Lake | 24,034 | 80 | 4 | 8.7 | |
| Boot Lake near Ranier, St. Louis County | 4 miles northeast | 51 | 25 | 0 | |
| Shoepack Lake, St. Louis County | 4 miles northeast | 299 | 24 | 0 | |
| Loiten Lake | 4 miles north | 94 | 49 | 0 | |
| Quill Lake | 5 miles north | 85 | 46 | 0 | |
| War Club Lake | 5 miles north | 80 | 40 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Kabetogama Lake
Lakes one stop past Kabetogama Lake
- Boot Lake near Ranier, St. Louis County4 miles northeast
- Shoepack Lake, St. Louis County4 miles northeast
- Loiten Lake4 miles north
- Quill Lake5 miles north
- War Club Lake5 miles north
Bait shops an easy drive from Kabetogama Lake
- Kab Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Kabetogama, 5 miles
- Cold Springs Incfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Orr, 10 miles
- Seegert's Marinemarina, Koochiching, 15 miles
- Seegerts Landingmarina, International Falls, 15 miles
- Freds Marine Centerbait and tackle shop, Koochiching, 21 miles
- The Fishermanbait and tackle shop, International Falls, 22 miles
Guide services on Kabetogama Lake
- Voyageurs Adventures- Kabetogama Fishing Trips!fishing guide (season not stated), Kabetogama Lake, Kabetogama, (651) 303-1252
Towns to stay in near Kabetogama Lake
- Ranier21 miles
- International Falls22 miles
- Nett Lake25 miles
Kabetogama Lake and its counties
- St. Louis Countyseat: Duluth
- Koochiching Countyseat: International Falls
Reels and a weigh grip for Kabetogama Lake
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Catches common at Kabetogama Lake
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Rob Foster, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Kabetogama Lake, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Kabetogama Lake in?
Look in St. Louis County and Koochiching County, managed from the International Falls fisheries office, about 21 miles from Ranier.
How does Kabetogama Lake rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 24,034 acres, 80 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Kabetogama Lake?
4 public accesses; Kabetogama Lake (E) Ash River Visitor Center Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in Kabetogama Lake?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
What did the last survey of Kabetogama Lake find?
The newest is a large lake survey from June 11, 2025. walleye ran 8.7 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Kabetogama Lake?
Walleye and Sauger: Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
Which Minnesota license do I need on Kabetogama Lake?
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 Kabetogama Lake?
Ice usually leaves near April 30; most recently May 4, 2026.
Who sells leeches near Kabetogama Lake?
Kab Outdoors, about 5 miles away.
Add Kabetogama Lake to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.