Minnesota Fishing Guide

Bad Axe

Hubbard County, Minnesota — DOW #29020800

138 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Bad Axe has confirmed populations of:

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

303.26
Acres
39 ft
Max Depth
19 ft
Mean Depth
13
Fish Species
6
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Bad Axe. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 2.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.71 lb 36
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 1.6 (normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.75 lb 11
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.75 lb 8
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.50 lb 1
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.71 lb 7
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.20 lb 1
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.99 lb 1

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.16 lb 20
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 137.7 (above normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.10 lb 964
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 2.6 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.14 lb 26
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 49.7 (above normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.11 lb 149
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.12 lb 12
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 43.0 (above normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.08 lb 172
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 7.9 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.07 lb 71
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 78.5 (above normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.03 lb 471
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 1.4 — — 11
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 71.3 (above normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.13 lb 428
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 3.3 — — 3
2010-06-21 Standard trap nets 1.6 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.16 lb 14

Muskellunge

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.4 7.33 lb 4
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.2 – 0.6 3.30 lb 3
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.6 6.28 lb 2

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 3.1 – 8.5 19.00 lb 1
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 3.50 lb 1
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 4.05 lb 10
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 7.50 lb 2
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 4.3 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 5.36 lb 17
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 7.8 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 4.11 lb 47
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.6 — 3.09 lb 5
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 2.0 (below normal) 3.1 – 8.5 5.93 lb 12

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.2 – 5.1 0.06 lb 9
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.10 lb 1
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 5.1 0.05 lb 1
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.2 – 5.1 0.09 lb 5
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 1.7 (above normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.05 lb 15
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 2
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 1.1 — — 1

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 2.0 0.22 lb 5
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 3.3 (above normal) 0.6 – 2.5 0.24 lb 50
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 10.0 (above normal) 0.6 – 2.5 0.25 lb 100
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 2.0 0.30 lb 2
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 3.3 (above normal) 0.6 – 2.5 0.37 lb 26
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.0 0.39 lb 1
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 3.1 (above normal) 0.6 – 2.5 0.17 lb 28
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 0.1 — — 1
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 2.0 0.22 lb 2
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 2.2 — — 2
2010-06-21 Standard trap nets 1.4 (normal) 0.6 – 2.5 0.18 lb 13

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 2.7 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.30 lb 19
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.39 lb 15
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.2 1.00 lb 2
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.28 lb 10
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 1.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.52 lb 5
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 1.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.20 lb 11
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.2 1.60 lb 2
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 4.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.21 lb 40
2010-06-21 50-ft beach seine 19.0 — — 19
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 5.6 — — 45
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 4.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.86 lb 24
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 19.5 — — 18
2010-06-21 Standard trap nets 5.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.49 lb 48

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 20.7 — 0.14 lb 145
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 30.5 (above normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.16 lb 458
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 2.0 — 0.17 lb 6
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 44.6 (above normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.13 lb 446
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 4.3 — 0.12 lb 17
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 19.1 (above normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.16 lb 153
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.08 lb 2
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 20.6 (above normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.06 lb 185
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.17 lb 2
2010-06-21 Standard trap nets 16.7 (above normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.23 lb 150
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 0.4 — — 3

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 6.6 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.5 1.19 lb 46
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 7.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.5 1.78 lb 22
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 2.50 lb 1
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.06 lb 12
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 10.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.5 1.14 lb 62
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 1.94 lb 4
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 2.2 — — 2
2010-06-21 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 2.26 lb 1
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 6.2 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.5 1.61 lb 37

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard gill nets 2.1 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.25 lb 15
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 18.4 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.28 lb 276
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.25 lb 3
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 3.0 (normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.37 lb 30
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 11.0 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.35 lb 88
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.22 lb 4
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 14.2 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.32 lb 128
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.51 lb 1
2010-06-21 Standard trap nets 3.3 (above normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.46 lb 30

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1959-07-27 Standard trap nets 4.5 (below normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.23 lb 68
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 32.6 (normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.15 lb 326
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 1.3 — 0.26 lb 5
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 60.0 (above normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.18 lb 480
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 40.6 (normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.09 lb 365
2010-06-21 Standard trap nets 90.4 (above normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.17 lb 814
2010-06-21 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 1

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.62 lb 2
1985-06-12 Standard trap nets 7.3 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.54 lb 73
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.33 lb 4
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 8.1 (above normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.30 lb 65
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.55 lb 6
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 6.9 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.42 lb 62
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 2.2 — — 2
2010-06-21 Standard trap nets 2.9 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.49 lb 26
2010-06-21 Standard gill nets 2.7 (normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.59 lb 16

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.5 5.00 lb 2
1990-06-20 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.3 – 5.5 2.10 lb 1
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.7 5.20 lb 1

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.7 – 6.5 1.50 lb 1

Smallmouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-06-20 Standard trap nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.4 0.10 lb 1
2000-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 1.42 lb 2
2010-06-21 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.33 lb 1
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 2

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 3.3 — 3
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 6.9 — 55

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 50-ft beach seine 44.0 — 44
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 1.1 — 9
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 27.1 — 25

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 2
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 2.2 — 2

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 2.1 — 17
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 53.1 — 49
2010-06-21 50-ft beach seine 25.0 — 25

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 86.4 — 691
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 162.6 — 150
2010-06-21 50-ft beach seine 6.0 — 6

BKF

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 8.8 — 70
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 5.4 — 5
2010-06-21 50-ft beach seine 4.0 — 4

Logperch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 0.1 — 1
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 1.1 — 1

Mottled Sculpin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 7.6 — 7

Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 Backpack electrofishing 8.7 — 8
2010-06-21 50-ft beach seine 2.0 — 2
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 32.8 — 262

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-21 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — 8

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Delaney's Outdoors

Park Rapids, MN

(218) 732-4281

★ 4.4

Killer Adventures

Park Rapids, MN

(701) 219-4332

★ 5

L&M Fleet Supply

Park Rapids, MN

(218) 732-4465

★ 4.6

North Country Bait

Park Rapids, MN

(218) 732-7500

★ 5

Northern Bait Co

Park Rapids, MN

(218) 732-5113

★ 4.6

Big Nasty Tackle

Cass Lake, MN

(218) 339-2274

★ 3.1

Chad Zbasnik Fishing

Walker, MN

(218) 252-5363

Dean's Bait, Walker

Walker, MN

(218) 547-2248

★ 4.8

Nearby Marinas

Bob's Boat Storage

Laporte, MN

(218) 224-2505

★ 4.8

Boon-Docks Dock & Lift Sales

Bemidji, MN

(218) 766-9794

★ 5

Charlie's Boat & Marine LLC

Park Rapids, MN

(218) 732-3451

★ 4.6

Dan's All Season Service Inc.

Park Rapids, MN

(218) 237-3267

★ 4

Darrel's Small Eng ATV & Marine

Park Rapids, MN

(218) 732-8995

★ 4.8

Johnson’s On The Water Service

Park Rapids, MN

(218) 732-0798

★ 4.7

Resorts & Lodges Near Bad Axe

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Bad Axe.

Birch Harbor Resort
Fishing Resort Park Rapids

(218) 732-3760
New Frontier Resort
Fishing Resort Park Rapids

(800) 932-3643
Balsam Beach Resort & RV Park
Fishing Resort Bemidji

(218) 751-5057
Cedar Shores Lodge & Resort
Fishing Resort Park Rapids

(218) 732-4626

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Bad Axe. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillBrown BullheadHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassSmallmouth BassSunfishWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Bad Axe

Baldy’s Mostly Musky Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 252-3063
Go Fish! Guide Service
Fishing Guide

2182522278
Northwoods Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(651) 226-7555
Skiez Outdoors Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(320) 360-0710
Unparalleled Guide Service and Photography
Fishing Guide

(218) 209-9679
You Bet! Fishing Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 308-8695

Other Lakes in Hubbard County

2nd Little Gulch

19.02 acres

Alice

126.91 acres

Belle Taine

1,496.66 acres

Benedict

464.36 acres

Big Bass

132.5 acres

Big Sand

1,638.65 acres

Plan Your Trip to Bad Axe

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.