Status of the Fishery (as of 06/20/2005)
Big Bass Lake is a 213 acre basin located north of Outing, MN in Cass County. Development on the lake is heavy, with 82 homes/cabins being counted during the 1987 survey along 3.3 miles of shoreline.
Walleyes have not been stocked into Big Bass since 1991. The walleye catch rate (0.5/gill net) was low in 2005 when compared to similar lakes. Average size in gill nets was 23.3″ and 3.6 lbs. The walleye trap net catch rate was in the average category (0.2/trap net). Average size in trap nets was 26.2″ and 5.7 lbs. All of the fish in both gill nets and trap nets were 22″ or larger.
The northern pike catch rate was in the average category (4.8/gill net). Average size was 21.4″ and 2.4 lbs., with 21% of the fish being 24″ or larger.
The black crappie catch rate was average (1.7/trap net). The fish had an average length of 8.2″ and 53% were 8″ or larger.
The bluegill catch rate was high (70.3/trap net). The fish averaged 4.4″ and only 3% were 7″ or larger.
Other fish species captured included brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), white sucker, and yellow bullhead.