Home / Lakes / Great Northern Great Northern Stearns County, Minnesota — DOW #73008300
126 Surveys
Special Regulations for Great Northern
This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.
Daily limit 10. (Sauk River Chain of Lakes from State Highway 23 Bridge in T.123, R.31, S.24, downstream to the Cold Spring Dam in T.123, R.30, S.23, including connecting waters, Sauk River, and Becker, Horseshoe, Cedar Island, Zumwalde, Great Northern, Schneider, Krays, Bolfing, and Knaus Lakes.) Invasive Species Alert Great Northern has confirmed populations of:
Eurasian watermilfoil zebra mussel
Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.
DNR Fish Surveys
Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Great Northern.
Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.
Black Bullhead Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.0 (below normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.48 lb 4 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 12.5 (normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.45 lb 25 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 2.5 (normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.84 lb 10 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 32.0 (normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.57 lb 64 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.68 lb 1 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 8.0 (below normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.22 lb 16 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 4.4 — — 7 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 7.2 — — 79
Yellow Perch Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.17 lb 7 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 32.5 (above normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.12 lb 65 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 3.0 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.18 lb 12 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 26.0 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.20 lb 52 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 4.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.11 lb 17 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 5.5 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.18 lb 11 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 19.6 — — 215 2018-07-16 15-ft beach seine 0.7 — — 2 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 3.8 — — 6 2021-08-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.31 lb 1
Golden Shiner Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.4 – 4.3 0.13 lb 1 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.4 – 4.3 0.07 lb 2 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.07 lb 2 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.3 (above normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.04 lb 5 2018-07-16 15-ft beach seine 0.7 — — 2 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 2.5 — — 4 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 13.4 — — 147
Common Carp Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 4.2 0.13 lb 1 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 1.0 – 3.6 7.77 lb 6 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 4.2 15.65 lb 1
Yellow Bullhead Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 9.3 (above normal) 0.8 – 6.2 0.67 lb 37 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 2.5 (normal) 0.6 – 6.8 0.34 lb 5 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 11.8 (above normal) 0.8 – 6.2 0.83 lb 47 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.6 – 6.8 1.37 lb 1 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.2 0.60 lb 1
Northern Pike Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 2.98 lb 4 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 6.0 (normal) 1.5 – 7.0 2.67 lb 12 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 2.0 — 4.42 lb 8 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.5 – 7.0 2.72 lb 3 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 — — 1 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 3 2021-08-09 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 1.5 – 7.0 2.11 lb 9
Largemouth Bass Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 1.0 0.09 lb 1 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.78 lb 2 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 21.8 — — 240 2018-07-16 15-ft beach seine 1.3 — — 4 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 39.4 — — 63
Pumpkinseed Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.18 lb 1 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 3.8 (normal) 0.8 – 8.4 0.15 lb 15 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.25 lb 1 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.8 – 8.4 0.23 lb 7 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 8.4 0.08 lb 2 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 1.3 — — 2 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 11
Shorthead Redhorse Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 8.3 (above normal) 1.2 – 6.8 2.43 lb 33 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 2.0 2.25 lb 2 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 18.0 (above normal) 1.2 – 6.8 2.49 lb 72 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 2.0 2.48 lb 2 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 3.8 (normal) 1.2 – 6.8 2.55 lb 15 2021-08-09 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.3 – 2.0 2.08 lb 3
White Sucker Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 7.4 0.27 lb 3 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.2 2.00 lb 1 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.5 – 7.4 2.45 lb 4 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.3 – 2.2 2.58 lb 5 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 6.5 (normal) 0.5 – 7.4 2.19 lb 13 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.3 – 2.2 2.92 lb 5 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 0.6 — — 1 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 2.3 — — 25 2021-08-09 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 7.4 2.34 lb 2
Black Crappie Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.25 lb 3 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 75.5 (above normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.34 lb 302 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 59.0 (above normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.36 lb 118 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 85.5 (above normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.34 lb 342 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 110.0 (above normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.22 lb 220 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 90.5 (above normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.03 lb 362 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 9 2021-08-09 Standard gill nets 12.0 (normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.53 lb 24
Brown Bullhead Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard gill nets 20.5 (above normal) 1.0 – 6.0 0.86 lb 41 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.4 – 6.6 1.12 lb 2 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 9.5 (above normal) 1.0 – 6.0 0.99 lb 19
Bluegill Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 17.5 (normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.33 lb 70 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 6.0 — 0.44 lb 12 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 27.0 (normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.25 lb 108 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 4.5 — 0.37 lb 9 1995-08-14 Standard trap nets 10.5 (normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.23 lb 42 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 26.2 — — 42 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 46.1 — — 507 2018-07-16 15-ft beach seine 3.7 — — 11 2021-08-09 Standard gill nets 4.0 — 0.34 lb 8
Bowfin Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1980-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 4.33 lb 3 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 1.8 1.75 lb 1 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 3.30 lb 4 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 0.6 — — 1
Walleye Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 2017-10-05 Fall electrofishing 77.6 — 0.50 lb 135 2023-10-09 Fall electrofishing 41.8 — 0.93 lb 79 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 2.56 lb 2 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 2.85 lb 4 2018-10-18 Fall electrofishing 189.8 — 0.19 lb 225 2021-10-12 Fall electrofishing 109.5 — 0.71 lb 199 2024-10-09 Fall electrofishing 25.8 — 1.37 lb 37 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 5.5 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 1.44 lb 11 2021-08-09 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 1.72 lb 4
Channel Catfish Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1985-08-06 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.62 lb 2 1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 30.0 — 0.88 lb 60 2021-08-09 Standard gill nets 23.5 — 2.97 lb 47
Hybrid Sunfish Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 1985-08-06 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 0.17 lb 3 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 0.6 — — 1 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 0.1 — — 1
Muskellunge Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch 2018-10-18 Fall electrofishing 0.8 — 1.50 lb 1
Johnny Darter Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 8.2 — 90 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 3.8 — 6
Tadpole Madtom Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — 2 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 1.3 — 2
Smallmouth Bass Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 1.9 — 3 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 0.4 — 4
Bluntnose Minnow Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — 3 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 49.3 — 79 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 90.4 — 994
Spottail Shiner Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 19.4 — 213
SFS Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 6.9 — 11 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 3.5 — 39
Fathead Minnow Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 0.1 — 1
Green Sunfish Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 20.0 — 32 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 0.6 — 6
CNM Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 1.9 — 3
Logperch Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 Backpack electrofishing 14.4 — 23 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 12.1 — 133
Iowa Darter Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch 2018-07-16 50-ft beach seine 1.4 — 16
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Fish Species Species known to inhabit Great Northern. Click any species for a full fishing guide.
Fishing Guides Near Great Northern Other Lakes in Stearns County Plan Your Trip to Great Northern
Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026.
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