Cass Lake
Size
15,964ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
Yes
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Cass Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
Walleye
Walleye

Overview

The largest lake in the Cass Lake Chain. Famous for its walleye, muskie and perch. Muskie in the 50-inch class are available. 15,996 acres

Cass Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Location: Cass Chain and connected waters Wolf, Ose, Andrusia, unnamed stream (Big Lake Creek), Mississippi River, Cass, Fox Creek, Windigo, Buck, Big Rice, Little Rice, Kitchi, Turtle River, and Pug Hole Lake

  • Sunfish: Daily limit five.

Features

Of the 8 lakes that make up the Cass Lake Chain of Lakes, Cass Lake is the largest at approximately 16,000 acres. Other lakes include; Pike Bay, Buck Lake, Big Wolf Lake, Lake Andrusia, Kitchi Lake, Little Rice Lake and Big Rice Lake. Located just north of the Town of Cass Lake and in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest, it is considered the 8th largest lake in Minnesota. The lake also sits within the Leech lake Indian Reservation. The Mississippi River flows through the entire system and two dams, placed along the chain to manage water levels. The US Forest Service manages the Knutson Dam, and the other is operated by the Otter Tail Power Company which is located just below Stump Lake. Cass Lake is different than most of the other walleyes lakes in the area in that fishing can vary from a few feet of water to water as deep as 70 feet. Cass Lake is also made up of multiple lakes with in a lake. Several shallow flats separate one deep hole from another. The scenery is incredible on the lake with 27 miles of forested shoreline and sandy beaches and plunging to 120 feet deep in areas. Many tourists visit Star Island yearly for its hiking trails, campgrounds and picnic facilities. Star Island is unique in the fact that it is the only island in Minnesota that contains its own lake, Lake Windigo. This lake always ends up on someone’s list of great fishing places in Minnesota. Cass Lake offers fine populations of walleye, northern pike, perch, and is also coveted by muskie anglers. Cass Lake is a “walleye factory” and offers top notch walleye that would rival any lake in Minnesota. Muskies also provide a great fishery and Cass Lake is second only to Leech Lake in the number of muskies caught annually. Many of these trophies exceed the 40-pound mark. Whether you are after that one trophy muskie or a mess of perch, or great tasting walleye action, Cass Lake’s maze of steep drop-offs, mid-lake bars, rock piles and sunken islands are sure to be holding just what you are looking for.

Forage

Perch and Cisco provide forage and contribute to the trophy size for walleyes, muskies and pike. Lake whitefish also provides additional forage for pike and muskies. A variety of minnow species are also abundant, including common shiner, mimic shiner, logperch and darters. Crayfish are abundant.

Seasonal Movements

During the spring, look for areas of current to attract spawning walleyes. The narrow channel going into Andrusia Lake and up the Mississippi River is a common area to find spawning walleyes. The Turtle River area, through Lake Kitchi also attracts walleyes in the spring. After spawning, these fish move slowly back toward Cass Lake.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-5 in
Length Range
4 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.1
0Statewide Range19.68

Cass Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
Jul
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20249
20229
20219
Crappie
fish
5-6 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.05
0Statewide Range12.68

Cass Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Jul
2024
Sep
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
0.05
0Statewide Range3.68

Cass Lake Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2013
Jul
2016
Jul
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
0.1
0Statewide Range0.51

Cass Lake Muskellunge abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2020
Jul
2023
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20249
20229
20219
Northern pike
fish
15-36 in
Length Range
24 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.38
0Statewide Range19.75

Cass Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jul
2024
Sep
Perch
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
48.67
0Statewide Range43.58

Cass Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jul
2024
Sep
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20249
20229
20219
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-6 in
Length Range
4 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.29
0Statewide Range6.18

Cass Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
Jul
2024
Sep
Rock bass
fish
5-11 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2.95
0Statewide Range6.58

Cass Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jul
2024
Sep
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Tiger muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
8-27 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
7.57
0Statewide Range16.93

Cass Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jul
2024
Sep