Basswood

Lake County, Minnesota — DOW #38064500

77 Surveys

Special Regulations for Basswood

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit two, only one over 40". Season is continuous. (Including Jackfish, Pipestone, Hoist and Back bays)
Daily limit five. (Including Jackfish, Pipestone, Hoist and Back bays)

Invasive Species Alert

Basswood has confirmed populations of:

spiny waterflea

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

25,952.96

Acres

111 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Basswood. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	4.7 (normal)	1.4 – 17.4	0.43 lb	70
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	1.4 – 17.4	0.88 lb	80
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	4.4 (normal)	1.4 – 17.4	1.75 lb	66
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	1.4 – 17.4	0.48 lb	13

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	4.6 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	2.86 lb	69
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	2.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.01 lb	49
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	2.8	—	1.90 lb	87
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	3.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	3.27 lb	61
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	2.3	—	2.31 lb	53
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	3.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	2.59 lb	59
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	4.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	2.58 lb	50

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.64 lb	1
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.75 lb	6
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	5.1	—	0.63 lb	158
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	3.4	—	0.50 lb	68
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	0.60 lb	41
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.15 lb	2
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.32 lb	6

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	1.7 – 5.0	2.01 lb	72
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	2.6 (normal)	1.7 – 5.0	2.26 lb	53
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.4	3.69 lb	6
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	1.7 – 5.0	1.73 lb	69
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.0 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.4	4.71 lb	1
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	3.9 (normal)	1.7 – 5.0	3.39 lb	59
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	6.0 (above normal)	1.7 – 5.0	1.94 lb	72

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	15.1 (above normal)	0.6 – 9.7	0.90 lb	226
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	13.6 (above normal)	0.6 – 9.7	1.00 lb	272
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.9	2.87 lb	13
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	15.4 (above normal)	0.6 – 9.7	1.50 lb	309
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.8 – 2.9	3.04 lb	5
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	13.1 (above normal)	0.6 – 9.7	1.03 lb	197
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	11.0 (above normal)	0.6 – 9.7	0.98 lb	132

Smallmouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.2	1.79 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 2.2	2.33 lb	19
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	1.08 lb	19
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 2.2	1.59 lb	17
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	4.15 lb	3
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 2.2	1.60 lb	13
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.2	2.15 lb	6

LKW

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.1 – 9.3	1.84 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.1 – 9.3	1.96 lb	20
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.1 – 9.3	2.79 lb	2
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.1 – 9.3	4.39 lb	1

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	5.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.15 lb	89
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.33 lb	42
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	1.4 (normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.17 lb	27
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.22 lb	27
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	12.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.07 lb	241
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.25 lb	37
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.8	0.23 lb	39

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2005-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 5.1	0.23 lb	8
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	0.4 – 5.1	0.21 lb	23
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 4.2	0.28 lb	16
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.4 – 5.1	0.32 lb	41
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 4.2	0.28 lb	4
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.4 – 5.1	0.62 lb	30
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	0.4 – 5.1	0.26 lb	39

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.51 lb	1
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	1.75 lb	2

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.50 lb	4
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	1.29 lb	1

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.34 lb	4
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	12.8 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.7	0.26 lb	398
2022-08-01	Standard gill nets	1.1	—	0.49 lb	21
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	9.3 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.7	0.21 lb	213
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.51 lb	1
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.9	—	0.25 lb	11

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.44 lb	1
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.41 lb	1
1985-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	3.00 lb	1

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	2.37 lb	14
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	1.64 lb	3

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	0.13 lb	7
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.16 lb	8
1996-07-29	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.07 lb	1

CIS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	3.3	—	0.52 lb	65

LES

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2022-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.0	—	0.04 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Entry Point 24

Ely, MN

★ 4.7

Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard Rental

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 393-4545

★ 5

Knife River Marina

Knife River, MN

(218) 834-6076

★ 4.7

Landing Sports Bar

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-5191

★ 4.6

Leroy's Repair

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-0743

★ 4.6

Meierhoff Marine

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 341-4588

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Basswood

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Basswood.

The Moose Bay Co

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-6285

Bell Sheep Homestead

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 226-4614

Bob's Cabins On Lake Superior

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 834-4583

Breezy Point Cabins On Lake Superior

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 389-4522

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Basswood. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Lake Whitefish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Northern Sunfish Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Shorthead Redhorse Smallmouth Bass Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Basswood

Boreal Triangle Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 830-2148

Boundary Waters Fishing Guide

Fishing Guide

(218) 235-9595

Duluth Superior Charter Fishing with Capt Paul Morris aboard Freedom II

Fishing Guide

(218) 428-5562

Ely Ice Fishing Company

Fishing Guide

(218) 365-3466

James Addiction Charter Fishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 213-8816

Muskie Doom Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 491-3277

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Lake County

Plan Your Trip to Basswood

Weather forecast for Basswood — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 48.0528°N, 91.6305°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Basswood

Special Regulations for Basswood

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Tullibee (Cisco)

Northern Pike

Black Crappie

White Sucker

Walleye

Smallmouth Bass

LKW

Yellow Perch

Rock Bass

Shorthead Redhorse

Hybrid Sunfish

Bluegill

Burbot

Largemouth Bass

Pumpkinseed

CIS

LES

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Agate Bay Outfitters LLC

Boundary Waters Outfitters

Canadian Border Outfitters

Granite Gear Inc

North Country Canoe Outfitters

Red Rock Wilderness Store

Seagren's Home Hardware Outdoors

Veness Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Entry Point 24

Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard Rental

Knife River Marina

Landing Sports Bar

Leroy's Repair

Meierhoff Marine

Resorts & Lodges Near Basswood

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Basswood

Other Lakes in Lake County

Abinodji

Adams

Adventure

Ahmakose

Ahsub

Alger

Plan Your Trip to Basswood