White bass across Minnesota
Finding and keeping white bass under Minnesota rules.
- 30 combined totallimit
- 4 lb 8 ozrecord
Pick for white bassPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the species, not of a Minnesota water: Nick Loveland, CC0 1.0
Where white bass fit in Minnesota
The DNR files White bass under the temperate bass family. The inland waters (statewide) rule allows 30 combined total; season Continuous.
Vadnais Lake gave up the state record of 4 lb 8 oz in 2016. Survey crews found it in 56 lakes, 60 of which have pages. At 78.67 per gill net, Hendricks Lake leads the lakes on this site.
For the white bass herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 The DNR profile of white bass
“White bass are common in the Minnesota River, the St. Croix River below Taylors Falls, the Mississippi below St. Anthony Falls and major tributaries, such as the Cannon and Zumbro rivers. Fish also are found in reservoirs on these river systems and in several lakes in southern Minnesota.”
- White bass are common in the Minnesota River, the St.habitat
- Fish also are found in reservoirs on these river systems and in several lakes in southern Minnesota.habitat
Quoted from the DNR fish page and the 2026 regulations identification guide, checked October 2026.
The white bass limit
| Where | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Inland waters (statewide) | 30 combined total | Continuous |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Minnesota record white bass
| Category | Weight | Water | County | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| certified weight | 4 lb 8 oz | Vadnais Lake | Ramsey | 2016 |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out.
Where the white bass surveys ran highest
| Lake | Per gill net | Normal range | Avg lb | Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendricks Lake | 78.67 | 0.8-7.1 | 0.3 | 2023 |
| Pleasant Lake, Ramsey County | 16.11 | 0.3-3.8 | 0.68 | 2001 |
| Wells Lake | 13 | 0.3-9.9 | 0.5 | 2014 |
| Big Stone Lake | 10.33 | 0.8-7.1 | 1.03 | 2024 |
| Traverse Lake | 5.83 | 0.8-7.1 | 0.59 | 2019 |
| Lake Pepin | 3.62 | 3.2-6.3 | 0.83 | 2024 |
| Round Lake, Jackson County | 3.33 | 0.3-9.9 | 1.48 | 2025 |
| Upper Sakatah Lake | 3.25 | 0.8-7.1 | 1.24 | 2014 |
| St. Croix River | 3.09 | 1.04 | 2024 | |
| Marsh, Big Stone County | 2.75 | 0.8-7.1 | 1.33 | 2015 |
| Spring Lake, Dakota County | 2 | 0.8-7.1 | 0.86 | 2001 |
| Upper Prior Lake | 2 | 0.8-7.1 | 1.59 | 2024 |
DNR LakeFinder latest survey per lake; standard and special gill nets.
Minnesota waters to try for white bass
Lakes with white bass
- Lake Pepin12,299 acres
- Big Stone Lake11,984 acres
- Traverse Lake10,849 acres
- St. Louis River Estuary10,255 acres
- St. Croix River8,393 acres
- Lac qui Parle5,741 acres
- Marsh, Big Stone County4,462 acres
- Mud Lake, Traverse County2,449 acres
- Emily Lake, Pope County2,316 acres
- Artichoke Lake1,971 acres
- Cannon Lake1,593 acres
- Hendricks Lake1,522 acres
- Pokegama Lake, Pine County1,521 acres
- Spring Lake, Dakota County1,494 acres
- Madison Lake1,447 acres
- Lake Byllesby1,368 acres
- Tetonka Lake1,358 acres
- Big Stone NWR East Pool1,286 acres
- Lower Prior Lake956 acres
- Shields Lake, Rice County940 acres
- Round Lake, Jackson County930 acres
- Cross/Pine River925 acres
- Cedar Lake, Rice County902 acres
- Eagle Lake, Blue Earth County898 acres
Streams with white bass
- Mississippi RiverAitkin
- St. Louis RiverSt. Louis
DNR LakeFinder survey lists; largest lakes first.
Fish grouped with white bass
- Yellow basstemperate bass family
Photos of places near White bass
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Lorne Sunley, CC BY 3.0
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Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Minnesota white bass, asked by anglers
What is the limit on white bass?
30 combined total (Inland waters (statewide)), season Continuous.
What is the Minnesota record white bass?
4 lb 8 oz from Vadnais Lake (2016).
Which waters produce white bass?
Hendricks Lake leads the DNR gill net catch at 78.67 per net; 62 waters on this site list it.
Are white bass on the stocking pages?
Not on the DNR area stocking pages collected here.
What scientific name does the DNR use for white bass?
White bass are common in the Minnesota River, the St. Croix River below Taylors Falls, the Mississippi below St. Anthony Falls and major tributaries, such as the Cannon and Zumbro rivers. Fish also are found in reservoirs on these river sys
Is white bass season open right now in Minnesota?
Continuous
Is a stamp needed for white bass?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Do Minnesota guides take trips for white bass?
See the guides page.