Bird's Eye

Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31083400

51 Surveys

Special Regulations for Bird's Eye

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

All from 20-24" must be immediately released. Only one over 24" allowed in possession. (Including connecting Birds Eye Lake, Little Sand Lake, Portage Lake, Rice Lake, and Bowstring River upstream to County Road 35 bridge and downstream to the County Road 145 bridge.)
Daily limit five. (Sand Lake and connected Portage, Birdseye, Little Sand, and Rice Lakes and the Bowstring River upstream to the CSAH 35 bridge and downstream to the County Road 145 bridge)

Invasive Species Alert

Bird's Eye has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

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

80.08

Acres

50 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.70 lb	3
1978-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	1.30 lb	2

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard trap nets	3.5 (normal)	0.5 – 3.8	0.24 lb	14
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	19.8 (normal)	1.5 – 23.0	0.25 lb	79
1978-08-09	Standard trap nets	4.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.8	0.31 lb	12
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	20.0 (normal)	1.5 – 23.0	0.17 lb	60
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	0.5 – 3.8	0.18 lb	16
2002-08-26	Standard gill nets	14.3 (normal)	1.5 – 23.0	0.22 lb	43

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 11.0	0.43 lb	3
1987-09-08	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	1.0 – 8.4	0.60 lb	5
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 11.0	1.00 lb	1

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	9.3 (above normal)	2.8 – 8.7	1.15 lb	37
1987-09-08	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	0.85 lb	4
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	2.8 – 8.7	1.25 lb	16
1978-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	1.60 lb	1
2002-08-26	Standard gill nets	9.3 (above normal)	2.8 – 8.7	0.98 lb	28
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	0.78 lb	3

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	0.42 lb	5
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.8	0.64 lb	1
2002-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	0.75 lb	1

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	1.70 lb	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	1.53 lb	3
2011-06-16	Special trap nets	0.3	—	5.94 lb	1
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	3.00 lb	2
2002-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	5.62 lb	1

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.10 lb	1
1987-09-08	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.6	0.17 lb	6
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.6	0.07 lb	3

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.20 lb	2
1987-09-08	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	1.3 – 6.3	0.13 lb	9
2011-06-16	Special trap nets	2.3	—	0.32 lb	7
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.05 lb	1
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.3 – 6.3	0.25 lb	6

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 13.3	3.07 lb	3
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.0 – 13.3	1.81 lb	7

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.9	0.12 lb	5
1987-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.07 lb	3
1978-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.50 lb	1
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.70 lb	1

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-09-08	Standard gill nets	10.5 (normal)	0.5 – 11.0	0.44 lb	42
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	9.7 (normal)	0.5 – 11.0	0.45 lb	29
2002-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 11.0	0.75 lb	1

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-06-16	Special trap nets	5.0	—	0.28 lb	15
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	2.3 (below normal)	5.7 – 40.5	0.22 lb	16

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.40 lb	1
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.30 lb	4
2002-08-26	Standard gill nets	1.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.5	3.51 lb	3

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	2.00 lb	1
2002-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.9	3.03 lb	2

GLR

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	3.09 lb	1
2002-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	2.31 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Bass Lake public Water Access - Whispering Pines

Grand Rapids, MN

★ 3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-0351

★ 4.3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

Marine Clinic

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 244-4281

★ 4.9

Mishawaka Outdoors LLC

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 812-8888

NorthStar Barge

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 269-0566

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Bird's Eye

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Bird's Eye.

Anchor Inn Resort

Fishing Resort Spring Lake

(218) 659-2718

Birch Haven Resort Closed

Fishing Resort Bovey

(218) 910-9707

Bowen Lodge

Fishing Resort Deer River

(218) 246-8707

Loon Point Resort

Fishing Resort Bigfork

(218) 245-1470

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Bird's Eye. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Bluegill Pumpkinseed Walleye

Fishing Guides Near Bird's Eye

Bro's Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 340-6051

Early Bird Fishing Guide Jeff Sundin

Fishing Guide

(218) 245-9858

Grand Rapids Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 259-7140

Minnesota Fishing Connections

Fishing Guide

(218) 259-2628

MN Fishing Pros

Fishing Guide

(218) 244-2517

Moo Moo's Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 398-7593

View all 9 guides →

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Plan Your Trip to Bird's Eye

Weather forecast for Bird's Eye — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.6064°N, 93.9817°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

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

Bird's Eye

Special Regulations for Bird's Eye

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Rock Bass

Shorthead Redhorse

Walleye

Largemouth Bass

Pumpkinseed

Tullibee (Cisco)

Black Crappie

Black Bullhead

Bluegill

Bowfin

White Sucker

GLR

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Best Bet Waxworm Wholesale Bait & Breeder Kits

Bite Me Waxworms Wholesale Bait Shop

Diamond Custom Rods

Fred's Live Bait & Tackle

Frontier Sports

Glen's Army & Navy Store

God's Country Outfitters

Hollywood Bait

Nearby Marinas

Bass Lake public Water Access - Whispering Pines

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids Marine

Marine Clinic

Mishawaka Outdoors LLC

NorthStar Barge

Resorts & Lodges Near Bird's Eye

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Bird's Eye

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Alice

Allen

Amen

Anderson

Ann

Antler

Plan Your Trip to Bird's Eye