Rock bass across Minnesota
Limits, records and lakes for rock bass.
- 30limit
- 2 lb 4 ozrecord
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About Minnesota rock bass
Rock bass counts among the sunfish family in Minnesota. Anglers may keep 30 in inland waters (statewide), Continuous.
In 2024, Mille Lacs Lake produced the record of 2 lb 4 oz. It shows up in DNR surveys of 902 lakes (1,077 with pages here). Andrew Lake, Douglas County posted the top gill net rate, 51.17 per net.
For the sunfish herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 How the DNR describes rock bass
“Stout and heavy in comparison to the sunfishes and crappies, the rock bass has red eyes and brassy flanks with black spots. A large rock bass measures about 10 inches and weighs about a pound.”
- Stout and heavy in comparison to the sunfishes and crappies, the rock bass has red eyes and brassy flanks with black spots.identification
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
rock bass limits and seasons
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | 30 | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
The rock bass record
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 2 lb 4 oz | Mille Lacs Lake | Mille Lacs | 2024 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Top rock bass catch rates in DNR surveys
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Lake, Douglas County | 51.17 | 0.6-3.9 | 0.38 | 2024 |
| Big Cormorant Lake | 27.92 | 1.0-6.6 | 0.4 | 2023 |
| Potato Lake | 23.13 | 1.0-6.6 | 0.33 | 2025 |
| Big Sand Lake, Hubbard County | 21.07 | 1.0-6.6 | 0.44 | 2020 |
| Loon Lake, Cook County | 20 | 0.16 | 2024 | |
| Hunter Lake | 19.33 | 0.7-4.4 | 0.4 | 1987 |
| Blue Lake, Hubbard County | 19.22 | 0.7-4.4 | 0.28 | 2024 |
| Long Lake near Backus, Cass County | 18.5 | 0.5-1.7 | 0.67 | 2025 |
| Pike Bay, Cass County | 15.2 | 1.0-6.6 | 0.55 | 2019 |
| Big Lake near Babbitt, St. Louis County | 15 | 0.5-2.2 | 0.38 | 2013 |
| Dumbbell Lake | 13.88 | 0.5-2.2 | 0.25 | 2023 |
| Round Lake near Nisswa, Crow Wing County | 13.73 | 0.6-3.9 | 0.24 | 2025 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
rock bass across the state
Where to fish lakes for rock bass
- Lake of the Woods725,583 acres
- Rainy Lake, St. Louis County210,200 acres
- Mille Lacs Lake128,250 acres
- Red Lake (Upper Red)119,294 acres
- Leech Lake103,444 acres
- Lake Winnibigoshish56,471 acres
- Vermilion Lake39,272 acres
- Lac la Croix29,597 acres
- Basswood Lake25,953 acres
- Namakan Lake24,066 acres
- Kabetogama Lake24,034 acres
- Cass Lake15,958 acres
- Lake Minnetonka14,206 acres
- Otter Tail Lake14,079 acres
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Pelican Lake, St. Louis County11,546 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- Crooked Lake near Winton, St. Louis County10,360 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- Gull Lake, Cass County10,010 acres
- Bowstring Lake9,528 acres
- Sand Point Lake8,527 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
Rivers and creeks for rock bass
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
- Red Lake RiverPolk
- Vermilion RiverSt. Louis
- Turtle RiverBeltrami
- Island RiverLake
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Species listed with rock bass
- Largemouth basssunfish family
- Smallmouth basssunfish family
- Black crappiesunfish family
- White crappiesunfish family
- Bluegillsunfish family
- Pumpkinseedsunfish family
- Green sunfishsunfish family
- Hybrid sunfishsunfish family
- Warmouthsunfish family
Pictures of water close to Rock bass
Photo: Jon Platek, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: chief_huddleston, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Lorne Sunley, CC BY 3.0
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Handy answers on rock bass
May Minnesota anglers keep rock bass?
30 (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
Which Minnesota water gave up the record rock bass?
2 lb 4 oz from Mille Lacs Lake (2024).
Which lakes hold rock bass?
Andrew Lake, Douglas County leads the DNR gill net catch at 51.17 per net; 1,083 waters on this site list it.
Where does the DNR stock rock bass?
None listed on the area pages.
How do I tell rock bass from similar fish?
Stout and heavy in comparison to the sunfishes and crappies, the rock bass has red eyes and brassy flanks with black spots.
When does Minnesota rock bass season open and close?
Continuous
Do kids need a license for rock bass?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Which guides list rock bass?
No Minnesota guide names it; see the guides page.
Plan a Minnesota rock bass trip
Pick a lake from the lists on this page.