Six Mile Lake, Cass County Fishing
Cass County, 1,323 acres, 68 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Leech Lake: Bjoertvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
The short version on Six Mile Lake, Cass County
Six Mile Lake, Cass County is a lake of 1,323 acres in Cass County. Depth bottoms out near 68 feet, with an average of 21 feet. 625 acres, about 47% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 4 miles reaches Bena, the nearest city. It falls under the Walker 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 21, 2025. The walleye catch of 8.75 per gill net was within the DNR normal range of 3.3-8.8.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 DNR survey results for Six Mile Lake, Cass County
From the standard survey completed July 21, 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 | 105 | 8.75 | 3.3-8.8 | 1.16 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 62 | 5.17 | 2.8-9.0 | 1.72 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 1 | 0.08 | 1.63 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 257 | 21.42 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 24 | 2 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 9 | 0.75 | 0.22 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 33 | 2.75 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.16 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.17 | 0.3-1.3 | 0.03 | 0.2-0.8 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 24 | 2 | 0.8-6.2 | 2.17 | 0.6-1.4 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 14 | 1.17 | 0.24 | ||
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 21 | 1.75 | 1.8-7.8 | 0.1 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 22 | 1.83 | 0.6-3.9 | 0.75 | 0.3-0.5 |
Gill net catch on Six Mile Lake, Cass County by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Six Mile Lake, Cass County
“Six Mile Lake is a 1,323-acre lake with 606 littoral acres, 7.77 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 68 feet located southeast of Bena, MN in the Chippewa National Forest.”
“A US Forest Service owned public access and campground is located on the northeast shore.”
“Six Mile Lake is in Lake Class 27; lakes in this class are fairly large and deep, supporting diverse fisheries.”
“Other area lakes in this class include Ada, Crooked, Lower Sucker, Pleasant, and Webb Lake.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Six Mile Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Six Mile Lake, Cass County
- Six Mile Lake, Campground Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, toilet, Tribe
Public accesses close to Six Mile Lake, Cass County
- Leech Lake River, 1st Ave AccessLeech, 6 miles southwest
- Leech Lake River, Hwy 8 AccessLeech, 6 miles southwest
- Leech Lake River, Federal Dam AccessLeech, 6 miles southwest
- Lake Winnibigoshish, Richards Townsite AccessWinnibigoshish, 6 miles northwest
- Portage Lake Access near BenaPortage, 8 miles west
- Lake Winnibigoshish, Birches AccessWinnibigoshish, 8 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Six Mile Lake, Cass County
3 clarity readings on Six Mile Lake, Cass County date from 2013 onward.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
How high Six Mile Lake, Cass County is running
Readings in the DNR record for Six Mile Lake, Cass County come from gauge readers, so each one is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum Unknown).
Fish swimming in Six Mile Lake, Cass County
Survey catches from the DNR set this Six Mile Lake, Cass County species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Six Mile Lake, Cass County rules from the DNR booklet
Statewide inland limits cover Six Mile Lake, Cass County; the DNR lists no special rule for it.
| 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 Six Mile Lake, Cass 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 Six Mile Lake, Cass County stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six Mile Lake, Cass County | 1,323 | 68 | 1 | 8.75 | |
| Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County | 8 miles west | 1,539 | 55 | 1 | 14 |
| Little Winnibigoshish Lake | 9 miles northeast | 1,002 | 28 | 1 | 12.5 |
| Lake Winnibigoshish | 10 miles north | 56,471 | 69.8 | 6 | 6.06 |
| Ball Club Lake, Itasca County | 10 miles east | 4,335 | 85 | 2 | 2.47 |
| Little Ball Club Lake | 10 miles northeast | 185 | 30 | 1 | 0.67 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Six Mile Lake, Cass County
Lakes one stop past Six Mile Lake, Cass County
- Portage Lake near Bena, Cass County8 miles west
- Little Winnibigoshish Lake9 miles northeast
- Lake Winnibigoshish10 miles north
- Ball Club Lake, Itasca County10 miles east
- Little Ball Club Lake10 miles northeast
Bait shops an easy drive from Six Mile Lake, Cass County
- Winnie Trading Postsporting goods store, Deer River, 10 miles
- Fred's Live Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Deer River, 17 miles
- The Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Deer River, 17 miles
- The Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Itasca, 17 miles
- Bite Me Waxworms & Bait Cobait and tackle shop, Deer River, 17 miles
- River Rat Baitbait and tackle shop, Cohasset, 22 miles
Towns to stay in near Six Mile Lake, Cass County
- Bena3 miles
- Federal Dam6 miles
- Ball Club9 miles
Six Mile Lake, Cass County and its counties
- Cass Countyseat: Walker
Reels and a weigh grip for Six Mile Lake, Cass County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Catches common at Six Mile Lake, Cass County
Photo: Rob Foster, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
_(12658760953).jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Six Mile Lake, Cass County, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Six Mile Lake, Cass County in?
Look in Cass County, managed from the Walker fisheries office, about 4 miles from Bena.
How does Six Mile Lake, Cass County rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 1,323 acres, 68 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Six Mile Lake, Cass County?
1 public access; Six Mile Lake, Campground Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in Six Mile Lake, Cass County?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and cisco.
What did the last survey of Six Mile Lake, Cass County find?
The newest is a standard survey from July 21, 2025. walleye ran 8.75 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Six Mile Lake, Cass County?
The statewide table covers it (North-central Zone).
Which Minnesota license do I need on Six Mile Lake, Cass 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 Six Mile Lake, Cass County?
Clarity averages 8.3 feet on the Secchi disk.
Who sells leeches near Six Mile Lake, Cass County?
Winnie Trading Post, about 10 miles away.
Add Six Mile Lake, Cass County to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.