Pillager

Cass County, Minnesota — DOW #11032000

94 Surveys

205.01

Acres

39 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.42 lb	3
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.08 lb	2
1974-06-17	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.70 lb	1
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.78 lb	5

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	1.25 lb	1
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	10.8 (above normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.86 lb	43
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.77 lb	1
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	1.34 lb	1
1974-06-17	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	1.00 lb	2
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	4.8 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.71 lb	19
1988-06-29	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.75 lb	1
1988-06-29	Standard trap nets	3.3 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.75 lb	13

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	9.7 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.22 lb	29
2014-07-02	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	3.18 lb	6
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	2.7 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	3.40 lb	16
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	1.49 lb	5
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	4.16 lb	1
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.86 lb	1
1974-06-17	Standard gill nets	6.0 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	3.04 lb	18
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	0.95 lb	4
1988-06-29	Standard gill nets	1.7 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	8.10 lb	5

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.35 lb	2
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	4.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.35 lb	16
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.35 lb	7
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.11 lb	4
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	10.3 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.28 lb	41
1988-06-29	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.20 lb	4

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.12 lb	6
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	4.50 lb	1
2014-07-02	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.75 lb	1
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	4.52 lb	2
1988-06-29	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.80 lb	5

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	35.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.8	0.96 lb	105
2014-07-02	Standard gill nets	54.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.27 lb	324
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	43.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.8	0.79 lb	261
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	41.7 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.81 lb	125
1974-06-17	Standard gill nets	47.7 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.8	0.63 lb	143
1988-06-29	Standard gill nets	23.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.36 lb	69

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.15 lb	2
2014-07-02	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.19 lb	10
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.13 lb	9
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.46 lb	3
1974-06-17	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.56 lb	5
1988-06-29	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.00 lb	1

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.44 lb	7
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.30 lb	3
2014-07-02	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.39 lb	2
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.28 lb	2
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.38 lb	2
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.04 lb	10

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.50 lb	1
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.79 lb	1

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard gill nets	3.0 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.12 lb	9
2014-07-02	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.28 lb	3
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.11 lb	1
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.08 lb	6
1997-06-23	Survey seining	12.0	—	—	36
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.10 lb	1
1988-06-29	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.14 lb	8

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.00 lb	1
2014-07-02	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.63 lb	8
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.06 lb	1
1997-06-23	Survey seining	14.3	—	—	43
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.85 lb	1
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.39 lb	3
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.38 lb	5
1974-06-17	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.62 lb	2
1988-06-29	Standard trap nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.12 lb	6
1988-06-29	Standard gill nets	3.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.20 lb	11

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	14.3 (above normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.25 lb	57
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.16 lb	7
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.09 lb	10
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	7.8 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.28 lb	31
1988-06-29	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.12 lb	17

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	54.5 (above normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.15 lb	218
2014-07-02	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.22 lb	3
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	15.2 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.14 lb	137
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.15 lb	6
1997-06-23	Survey seining	6.7	—	—	20
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	15.8 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.16 lb	63
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	38.8 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.21 lb	155
1988-06-29	Standard trap nets	65.3 (above normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.10 lb	261

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1983-06-09	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.67 lb	3
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.42 lb	5
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.41 lb	1
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.70 lb	5
1988-06-29	Standard trap nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	2.50 lb	6
1988-06-29	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	4.50 lb	1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.67 lb	1
1974-06-17	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.10 lb	1

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1997-06-23	Survey seining	225.7	—	677

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1997-06-23	Survey seining	28.0	—	84

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1997-06-23	Survey seining	0.3	—	1

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1997-06-23	Survey seining	11.0	—	33

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Bar Harbor Pontoon Rentals

Lake Shore, MN

(218) 855-2651

★ 5

Bentley Pontoons Boat & Snowmobile Storage

Longville, MN

Blackwater lake access

Longville, MN

651-296-6157

★ 4.8

Bradford & Blake Boat Storage

Hackensack, MN

(218) 348-9580

Brainerd Lakes Marine LLC

Pequot Lakes, MN

(218) 821-1648

Captain Gary Leech Lake Pontoon Rental

Walker, MN

(218) 547-2231

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Pillager

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Pillager.

Decoy Lodge (Cabin 106) at Bluewater Lodge Resort

Fishing Resort Walker

(714) 235-6033

Ice Guys Fish House Rentals

Fishing Resort East Gull Lake

(218) 851-6488

Leech Lake Cabins

Fishing Resort Walker

(218) 766-6878

Lien's Resort

Fishing Resort Longville

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Tullibee (Cisco)White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Pillager

Adventures Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 232-6556

Bobby G's Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 831-7711

Boggs Fishing Adventures

Fishing Guide

(218) 820-5612

Brainerd Lakes Area Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(763) 670-6033

Brainerd Lakes Guides

Fishing Guide

(218) 866-2876

Chuck Emery Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 536-0348

View all 25 guides →

Other Lakes in Cass County

Plan Your Trip to Pillager

Weather forecast for Pillager — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.3681°N, 94.4780°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.

Pillager

DNR Fish Surveys

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Rock Bass

Walleye

Tullibee (Cisco)

White Sucker

Black Crappie

Black Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Largemouth Bass

Pumpkinseed

Bluegill

Bowfin

Hybrid Sunfish

Bluntnose Minnow

BKF

Johnny Darter

BNS

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Beimert Outdoors

Big Nasty Tackle

Chad Zbasnik Fishing

Corner Store Depot & Liquor

Dean's Bait, Walker

Full Stringer Bait and Tackle

Lakes Area Powersports

Leech Lake Distributors

Nearby Marinas

Bar Harbor Pontoon Rentals

Bentley Pontoons Boat & Snowmobile Storage

Blackwater lake access

Bradford & Blake Boat Storage

Brainerd Lakes Marine LLC

Captain Gary Leech Lake Pontoon Rental

Resorts & Lodges Near Pillager

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Pillager

Other Lakes in Cass County

Ada

Agate

Alice

Andrus

Anway

Baby

Plan Your Trip to Pillager