Lake Bemidji

Lake Bemidji

Size
6568ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Lake Bemidji
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Walleye
Walleye

Overview

Good populations of walleye, northern and perch. Increasing numbers of largemouth bass and muskie provide an added dimension for anglers.

Lake Bemidji Map

Features

Lake Bemidji is one in a series of lakes linked by the Mississippi River. It is a high quality fishing lake and provides excellent recreational opportunities. In addition to its famed walleye fishing, Bemidji is known for producing big pike and excellent catches of perch.

Forage

Young-of-the-year perch, tullibee, sucker and several species of shiners, including spottail, common and mimic, are pre-dominant. Darters and logperch are also present.

Seasonal Movements

The movement of spawning walleye to the Mississippi River inlet area and into Lake Irving occurs each spring. Spawning northern pike migrate to the flooded vegetation of the Bass Creek and Balsam Creek areas.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-4 in
Length Range
4 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.19
0Statewide Range74.03

Lake Bemidji 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
2012
Aug
2022
Aug
Crappie
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey 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
2012
Aug
2017
Aug
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey 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
1994
Aug
2001
Aug
2006
Aug
Muskellunge
fish
41-51 in
Length Range
47 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
2012
Aug
2022
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized muskellunge based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202250
Northern pike
fish
9-39 in
Length Range
25 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.53
0Statewide Range19.75

Lake Bemidji 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
2017
Aug
2022
Aug
Perch
fish
5-11 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
31.6
0Statewide Range43.58

Lake Bemidji 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
2017
Aug
2022
Aug
Pumpkinseed
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey 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
1994
Aug
2006
Aug
2012
Aug
Rock bass
fish
5-11 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
1.38
0Statewide Range4.23

Lake Bemidji 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
2017
Aug
2022
Aug
Walleye
fish
8-25 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
13.67
0Statewide Range16.93

Lake Bemidji 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
2017
Aug
2022
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized muskellunge based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202250