Little Bass Lake
About Little Bass Lake
Little Bass Lake is a 161-acre lake near Cohasset in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 62 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.3 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 21, based on 57 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Little Bass Lake
- 161 acres, up to 62 feet deep, near Cohasset
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — 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 15.3 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 161 acres
- Max depth
- 62 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 55 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)
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
- 13
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- No
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 21
- Years of record
- 57
- Earliest
- March 27, 2012
- Latest
- May 14, 2013
- Most recent
- May 5, 2018
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Bass Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Shoal Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset676 acres
1.8 miles away
Bass Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset2,715 acres
3 miles away
Little Jay Gould Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset150 acres
3.1 miles away
Jay Gould Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset552 acres
3.2 miles away
Hale Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids130 acres
3.7 miles away
Blackwater Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset601 acres
3.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Bass Lake?
Little Bass Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Cohasset. It covers 161 acres and reaches 62 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Bass Lake?
Little Bass Lake covers 161 acres with about 2.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 62 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Bass Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Bass Lake?
Yes. Little Bass Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Bass Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little 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 Little Bass Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Bass Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Little Bass Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 21, from 57 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 27, 2012 and the latest is May 14, 2013.