Bass Lake
About Bass Lake
Bass Lake is a 285-acre lake near Merrifield in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 24 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14 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 most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 12, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Bass Lake
- 285 acres, up to 24 feet deep, near Merrifield
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 14 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 285 acres
- Max depth
- 24 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 14 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 185 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 (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2016
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 12
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- March 26, 2016
- Latest
- May 9, 2013
- Most recent
- April 16, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
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 paddling lakes nearby.
See how Bass Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Upper Mission Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Merrifield882 acres
1.7 miles away
Horseshoe Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Cross Lake922 acres
1.7 miles away
Lower Mission Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Merrifield732 acres
1.9 miles away
Lougee Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Mission212 acres
2.1 miles away
Markee Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Lake Hubert104 acres
2.9 miles away
Pelican Lake
82 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Breezy Point8,367 acres
3.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bass Lake?
Bass Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Merrifield. It covers 285 acres and reaches 24 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Bass Lake?
Bass Lake covers 285 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 24 feet.
What fish can you catch at Bass Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. 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 (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. 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?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Bass Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Bass Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 12, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 26, 2016 and the latest is May 9, 2013.