Bassett Lake
About Bassett Lake
Bassett Lake is a 403-acre lake near Fairbanks in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 13 feet, and has roughly 5.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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 (concrete surface) managed by the township. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 11 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Bassett Lake
- 403 acres, up to 21 feet deep, near Fairbanks
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 7.9 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 403 acres
- Max depth
- 21 ft
- Average depth
- 13 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 196 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
- 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
- 12
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 27
- Years of record
- 11
- Earliest
- April 15, 2005
- Latest
- May 9, 2022
- Most recent
- April 24, 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 Bassett Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Cadotte Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Fairbanks294 acres
0.7 miles away
Salo Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Two Harbors141 acres
4.5 miles away
Otto Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Hornby154 acres
4.9 miles away
Wolf Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Two Harbors456 acres
6.7 miles away
Murphy Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Silver Bay113 acres
6.7 miles away
Indian Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Two Harbors57 acres
7.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bassett Lake?
Bassett Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Fairbanks. It covers 403 acres and reaches 21 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Bassett Lake?
Bassett Lake covers 403 acres with about 5.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 21 feet and its average depth is about 13 feet.
What fish can you catch at Bassett Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Bassett Lake?
Yes. Bassett Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Bassett Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Bassett 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 Bassett Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Bassett Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Bassett Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 27, from 11 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 15, 2005 and the latest is May 9, 2022.