Leighton

Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31073900

102 Surveys

245.45

Acres

63 ft

Max Depth

30 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.26 lb	11
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	10.3 (normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.23 lb	41
1973-08-29	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.40 lb	1
1973-08-29	Standard gill nets	30.0 (above normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.12 lb	60
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.05 lb	3
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.2 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.21 lb	7
1987-07-20	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.12 lb	4
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	25.8 (above normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.24 lb	129
2003-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.17 lb	2
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.11 lb	29

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	39.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.26 lb	158
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	5.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.45 lb	33
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.68 lb	5
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.62 lb	4
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	2.9	—	—	2
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	14.6 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.51 lb	73
1987-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.70 lb	3
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	8.7 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.54 lb	52
2003-07-20	Standard trap nets	3.1 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.54 lb	28

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	7.8 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.54 lb	31
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	1.7	—	0.87 lb	10
1973-08-29	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.30 lb	8
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	7.8 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	2.02 lb	47
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	0.82 lb	2
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	—	1
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	14.4 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.41 lb	72
1987-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	0.40 lb	2
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	11.7 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.43 lb	70
2003-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	1.07 lb	5

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.42 lb	13
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	6.5 (above normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.55 lb	39
1973-08-29	Standard trap nets	2.7 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.38 lb	8
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.41 lb	1
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.20 lb	8
2019-07-02	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.43 lb	3
1987-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.40 lb	2
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.45 lb	8
2003-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.33 lb	5

LKW

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 5.9	1.20 lb	3
1973-08-29	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 5.9	6.55 lb	2

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.65 lb	2
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	2.00 lb	2
1973-08-29	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	2.05 lb	8
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.0	2.19 lb	2
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.79 lb	2
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	7.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.18 lb	35
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	3.20 lb	22

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.16 lb	7
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	1.3 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.20 lb	8
1973-08-29	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.11 lb	9
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.15 lb	3
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	—	1
2019-07-02	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	2
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	2.8	—	0.20 lb	14
1987-07-20	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.26 lb	9
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	3.2	—	0.23 lb	19
2003-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.20 lb	6

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	12.0 (above normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.70 lb	48
1973-08-29	Standard gill nets	16.0 (above normal)	1.3 – 10.4	1.03 lb	32
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	32.6 (above normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.65 lb	163
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	1.3 – 10.4	0.72 lb	22

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.75 lb	2
1973-08-29	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.90 lb	2
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.04 lb	5

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.15 lb	2
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.62 lb	5
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	—	1
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.44 lb	2

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.3	0.80 lb	1

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	1.7 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.5	2.03 lb	10
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.33 lb	4
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.56 lb	3
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	2.9	—	—	2
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.60 lb	1
1987-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.10 lb	2
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	2.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.89 lb	15
2003-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.43 lb	4

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	10.0 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.36 lb	60
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.3	—	0.32 lb	14
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	6.9 (below normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.14 lb	62
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	22.9	—	—	16
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	0.8	—	0.33 lb	4
1987-07-20	Standard trap nets	16.3 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.21 lb	65
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	5.3	—	0.21 lb	32
2003-07-20	Standard trap nets	7.7 (below normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.19 lb	69

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	3.10 lb	1
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.3	5.51 lb	3
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.59 lb	1
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	—	1
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	2.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.3	3.73 lb	17
2003-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.20 lb	7

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.98 lb	1
1987-07-20	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.50 lb	1
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.77 lb	9
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.57 lb	2

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	7.2	—	5

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	1.4	—	1

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2019-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	7.2	—	5

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	1.4	—	0.26 lb	7

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-07-20	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.58 lb	5
2003-07-20	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.34 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 Leighton

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Leighton.

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 Leighton. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Walleye Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Leighton

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 Leighton

Weather forecast for Leighton — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.1987°N, 93.7544°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.

Leighton

DNR Fish Surveys

Yellow Perch

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Rock Bass

LKW

Walleye

Pumpkinseed

Tullibee (Cisco)

White Sucker

Black Crappie

Burbot

Largemouth Bass

Bluegill

Bowfin

Brown Bullhead

BNS

Tadpole Madtom

CNM

Hybrid Sunfish

Black Bullhead

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 Leighton

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Leighton

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Alice

Allen

Amen

Anderson

Ann

Antler

Plan Your Trip to Leighton