Bass Lake
About Bass Lake
Bass Lake is a 204-acre lake near Ponsford in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 28 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.2 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Bass Lake
- 204 acres, up to 28 feet deep, near Ponsford
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 10.2 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 204 acres
- Max depth
- 28 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 115 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Bass Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Bass Lake
Compare Bass Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Bass Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Bass Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Bass Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Bass Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Bad Medicine Lake
70 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford803 acres
1.5 miles away
Juggler Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford428 acres
4.4 miles away
Pickerel Lake
70 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Lake Itasca143 acres
5 miles away
Boot Lake
77 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Two Inlets385 acres
5.6 miles away
Long Lost Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Zerkel539 acres
5.8 miles away
Hernando DeSoto Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Goldenrod171 acres
7.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bass Lake?
Bass Lake is in Becker County, Minnesota, near Ponsford. It covers 204 acres and reaches 28 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Bass Lake?
Bass Lake covers 204 acres with about 3.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 28 feet.
What fish can you catch at Bass Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Bass Lake?
Yes. Bass Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Bass Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Bass Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Bass Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Bass Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Bass Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.