Knife

Kanabec County, Minnesota — DOW #33002800

213 Surveys

Special Regulations for Knife

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

Invasive Species Alert

Knife has confirmed populations of:

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

1,259.24
Acres
15 ft
Max Depth
9.1 ft
Mean Depth
19
Fish Species
1
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

White Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 6.5 (normal) 0.8 – 11.0 0.23 lb 72
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 11.3 (normal) 0.5 – 15.9 0.30 lb 113
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 1.1 (normal) 0.8 – 11.0 0.26 lb 9
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 11.0 0.45 lb 2
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 15.9 0.30 lb 3
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 18.4 (above normal) 0.8 – 11.0 0.21 lb 202
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 79.8 (above normal) 0.5 – 15.9 0.21 lb 798

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 9.8 0.50 lb 2
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.6 – 7.7 1.44 lb 2

SLR

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.3 3.00 lb 3
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 3.50 lb 1
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 1.00 lb 1

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.2 – 7.8 2.00 lb 1
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 2.30 lb 1
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 11.3 (above normal) 1.2 – 7.8 1.77 lb 90
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 3.5 (normal) 1.2 – 7.8 2.19 lb 42
2001-09-10 Standard trap nets 0.8 1.93 lb 9
2001-09-10 Survey seining 0.5 3
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 1.2 – 7.8 3.33 lb 54
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 0.9 2.64 lb 9
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 5.2 (normal) 1.2 – 7.8 3.48 lb 62
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.3 3.56 lb 4
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 2.8 (normal) 1.2 – 7.8 5.18 lb 33
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 0.6 4.83 lb 176
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 1.2 – 7.8 3.96 lb 14

Channel Catfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 1.1 2.07 lb 12
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.4 9.67 lb 3
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 0.50 lb 1
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.4 0.24 lb 4

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.10 lb 3
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.10 lb 9
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.07 lb 1
2001-09-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.06 lb 1
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 0.8 (above normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.10 lb 9
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 5
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.04 lb 5
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.7 0.10 lb 1
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 0.10 lb 3

Freshwater Drum

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 4.1 (above normal) 0.4 – 4.0 0.81 lb 41
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 2.4 (below normal) 3.6 – 24.2 0.40 lb 26
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 3.6 – 24.2 1.30 lb 2
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.4 – 4.0 2.11 lb 4
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 1.2 (below normal) 3.6 – 24.2 0.19 lb 13

Common Carp

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 31.7 (above normal) 0.5 – 9.1 1.29 lb 349
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 0.7 – 5.1 1.63 lb 23
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 32.9 (above normal) 0.5 – 9.1 0.21 lb 263
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 28.9 (above normal) 0.5 – 9.1 0.99 lb 318
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 4.6 (normal) 0.7 – 5.1 1.34 lb 46

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 4.1 0.42 lb 4
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.6 1.00 lb 1
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 3.6 0.42 lb 5
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 4.1 1.62 lb 6
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 2.7 3
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 0.1 1
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 3.6 0.77 lb 7
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.6 1.00 lb 1

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 2.5 (below normal) 3.2 – 15.3 0.42 lb 27
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.7 3.20 lb 2
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 21.5 (above normal) 3.2 – 15.3 0.95 lb 172
2001-09-10 Survey seining 0.2 1
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 3.8 (normal) 3.2 – 15.3 1.98 lb 46
2001-09-10 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 2.88 lb 12
2023-10-10 Fall electrofishing 678.0 0.03 lb 1059
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 8.2 (normal) 3.2 – 15.3 1.48 lb 98
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 4.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.7 1.06 lb 43
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 5.6 (normal) 3.2 – 15.3 2.08 lb 67
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 3.50 lb 11
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 47.0 (above normal) 3.2 – 15.3 0.36 lb 188
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 5.6 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.41 lb 56
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 2.4 (below normal) 3.2 – 15.3 1.61 lb 29
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 1.5 1.55 lb 461
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 3.2 – 15.3 2.81 lb 5
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 3.94 lb 10

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 0.2 0.10 lb 2
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 3.3 (normal) 1.0 – 14.9 0.21 lb 33
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.4 0.10 lb 3
2001-09-10 Survey seining 123.2 739
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.7 0.25 lb 8
2001-09-10 Standard trap nets 2.8 (normal) 1.0 – 14.9 0.30 lb 33
1995-09-05 Survey seining 357.2 2143
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 3.3 0.13 lb 39
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 24.0 (above normal) 1.0 – 14.9 0.08 lb 240
2006-09-11 Survey seining 59.3 178
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 5.4 0.13 lb 65
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 18.3 (above normal) 1.0 – 14.9 0.09 lb 219
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 1.3 0.30 lb 5
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 16.5 (above normal) 1.0 – 14.9 0.34 lb 165
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 3.0 0.20 lb 36
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 48.3 54
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 0.5 0.30 lb 142
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 13.1 209
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 1.0 – 14.9 0.25 lb 18

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.8 – 5.9 0.75 lb 2
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.93 lb 7
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 0.8 – 5.9 1.44 lb 21
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 4.7 (normal) 0.8 – 5.9 2.31 lb 56
2001-09-10 Standard trap nets 1.6 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.74 lb 19
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 6.3 (above normal) 0.8 – 5.9 2.13 lb 75
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 2.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.05 lb 20
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 2.2 (normal) 0.8 – 5.9 1.96 lb 26
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 13.3 (above normal) 0.8 – 5.9 0.95 lb 53
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 3.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.01 lb 34
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 0.6 (below normal) 0.8 – 5.9 1.11 lb 7
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.8 – 5.9 0.65 lb 11
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.93 lb 7

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 15.6 (above normal) 0.8 – 11.1 0.21 lb 172
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 7.6 (normal) 1.0 – 12.3 0.28 lb 76
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 0.8 – 11.1 0.38 lb 21
2001-09-10 Survey seining 2.7 16
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 10.4 (normal) 0.8 – 11.1 0.34 lb 125
2001-09-10 Standard trap nets 6.7 (normal) 1.0 – 12.3 0.47 lb 80
1995-09-05 Survey seining 5.7 34
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 10.8 (normal) 0.8 – 11.1 0.11 lb 129
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 11.5 (normal) 1.0 – 12.3 0.29 lb 115
2006-09-11 Survey seining 15.7 47
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 108.5 (above normal) 0.8 – 11.1 0.03 lb 1302
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 13.5 (above normal) 1.0 – 12.3 0.19 lb 162
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 7.0 (normal) 0.8 – 11.1 0.09 lb 28
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 5.6 (normal) 1.0 – 12.3 0.30 lb 56
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 15.9 (above normal) 0.8 – 11.1 0.10 lb 191
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 0.4 0.18 lb 132
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 0.6 10
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 29.4 (above normal) 0.8 – 11.1 0.19 lb 324
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 14.0 (above normal) 1.0 – 12.3 0.23 lb 140

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 4.6 – 83.0 0.20 lb 1
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 4.6 – 83.0 0.88 lb 2
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.4 (below normal) 4.6 – 83.0 1.32 lb 5
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 2.9 (normal) 1.3 – 78.1 0.33 lb 29
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 6.3 (normal) 4.6 – 83.0 0.37 lb 25
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 0.1 1
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.3 – 78.1 0.50 lb 2
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 4.6 – 83.0 0.37 lb 3

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard gill nets 4.9 (normal) 3.0 – 22.5 0.09 lb 54
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 15.0 (normal) 3.0 – 22.5 0.17 lb 120
2001-09-10 Standard trap nets 1.2 (normal) 0.3 – 2.6 0.09 lb 14
2001-09-10 Survey seining 2.8 17
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 4.6 (normal) 3.0 – 22.5 0.11 lb 55
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 6.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.6 0.25 lb 69
1995-09-05 Survey seining 2.2 13
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 68.8 (above normal) 3.0 – 22.5 0.15 lb 826
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 11.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.6 0.11 lb 137
2006-09-11 Survey seining 10.7 32
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 50.2 (above normal) 3.0 – 22.5 0.05 lb 602
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 2.6 0.56 lb 10
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 7.8 (normal) 3.0 – 22.5 0.56 lb 31
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 0.6 9
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 23.2 (above normal) 3.0 – 22.5 0.10 lb 278
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 9.8 11
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 0.2 0.10 lb 50
1985-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.6 0.30 lb 1
1985-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 3.0 – 22.5 0.40 lb 1

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-06-27 Standard trap nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.8 1.10 lb 1
1979-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.24 lb 4
2001-09-10 Survey seining 0.7 4
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.8 1.30 lb 1
1995-09-05 Survey seining 3.0 0.02 lb 18
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.8 3.31 lb 1
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.1 – 0.8 0.47 lb 4
2006-09-11 Standard electrofishing 41.6 1.22 lb 63
2006-09-11 Survey seining 7.0 21
2006-09-11 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.60 lb 3
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.8 1.83 lb 1
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.8 0.26 lb 7
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 3.5 (above normal) 0.1 – 0.8 0.31 lb 35
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 2.1 34
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 30.4 34
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 0.4 0.84 lb 129

Logperch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2001-09-10 Survey seining 0.3 2
1995-09-05 Survey seining 0.7 4
2006-09-11 Survey seining 0.7 2
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 4.5 5
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 0.2 3

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 0.36 lb 3
1995-09-05 Survey seining 0.2 1
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 1.1 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.7 0.27 lb 13
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.3 0.29 lb 1
2006-09-11 Survey seining 1.7 5
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.3 0.27 lb 1
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 0.4 6
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 0.26 lb 5
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 17.0 19

Shorthead Redhorse

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2001-09-10 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.6 – 2.8 2.20 lb 2
2001-09-10 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.7 – 2.1 1.71 lb 2
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.6 – 2.8 2.87 lb 1
2006-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.7 – 2.1 1.98 lb 1
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.6 – 2.8 1.78 lb 24
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 0.9 1
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 0.1 1

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2001-09-10 Survey seining 0.3 2
2006-09-11 Survey seining 0.7 2

Common Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1995-09-05 Survey seining 0.2 0.06 lb 1
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.3 0.10 lb 3
2006-09-11 Survey seining 1.0 3
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 0.1 0.10 lb 1

Smallmouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1995-09-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.2 1.92 lb 2
2006-09-11 Survey seining 1.7 5
1991-09-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 3.2 0.30 lb 2
1991-09-09 Standard trap nets 0.2 0.30 lb 2
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 0.0 1.55 lb 6

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1995-09-05 Standard trap nets 0.1 0.18 lb 1
2006-09-11 Survey seining 0.3 1
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 6.3 7
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 0.0 0.32 lb 2

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1995-09-05 Survey seining 3.0 18
2006-09-11 Survey seining 0.3 1
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 11.6 13

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 0.3 0.17 lb 3
2011-04-19 Special trap nets 0.0 0.07 lb 1

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 0.1 1
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 1.8 2

GLR

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-04-19 Standard gill nets 0.3 2.96 lb 3

Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-04-19 Backpack electrofishing 46.5 52
2011-04-19 50-ft beach seine 33.9 542

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Fish Species

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

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillBrown BullheadGolden RedhorseGreater RedhorseGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern Hog SuckerNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassShorthead RedhorseSmallmouth BassWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

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