Minnesota Fishing Guide

Thistledew

Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31015800

170 Surveys
325.91
Acres
45 ft
Max Depth
0
11
Fish Species
9
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 22.2 — — 14
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 16.2 — — 162
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 3.0 — 0.18 lb 27
2011-08-22 Standard trap nets 7.4 (below normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.15 lb 67
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 1.3 (below normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.11 lb 10
1976-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.7 — 0.25 lb 4
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 2.6 — 0.24 lb 23
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 22.3 (normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.16 lb 201
2020-08-31 Standard gill nets 1.8 — 0.23 lb 16
1985-07-10 Standard trap nets 28.8 (normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.04 lb 173
1985-07-10 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.10 lb 1
1993-08-08 Survey seining 2.0 — 0.01 lb 6
1993-08-08 Standard gill nets 1.2 — 0.28 lb 11
1993-08-08 Standard trap nets 12.8 (normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.14 lb 115
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 10.6 (normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.05 lb 95
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.3 — 0.04 lb 12
2006-08-14 Standard trap nets 10.7 (normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.09 lb 96
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.2 — 0.12 lb 11
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 3.3 — 0.16 lb 30
2011-08-17 Backpack electrofishing 36.5 — — 61
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 56.7 — — 340

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 Standard trap nets 1.4 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.10 lb 13
2011-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 4.8 — — 3
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 2.5 — — 25
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 4.4 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.14 lb 40
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 2.0 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.20 lb 16
1976-07-14 Standard gill nets 24.3 (above normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.15 lb 146
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.08 lb 2
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.12 lb 18
2020-08-31 Standard gill nets 1.1 (below normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.12 lb 10
1985-07-10 Standard trap nets 5.5 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.07 lb 33
1985-07-10 Standard gill nets 12.8 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.07 lb 77
1993-08-08 Standard trap nets 1.6 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.11 lb 14
1993-08-08 Survey seining 32.0 — — 96
1993-08-08 Standard gill nets 15.7 (above normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.12 lb 141
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.11 lb 27
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 12.4 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.09 lb 112
2006-08-14 Standard trap nets 2.0 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.10 lb 18
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 7.8 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.12 lb 70
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 9.2 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.13 lb 83
2011-08-17 Backpack electrofishing 3.6 — — 6
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 5.2 — — 31

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 1.9 (below normal) 2.2 – 8.7 3.70 lb 17
2011-08-22 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 3.03 lb 4
1976-07-14 Standard gill nets 4.2 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 1.28 lb 25
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 1.00 lb 6
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 2.7 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 3.19 lb 24
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 2.48 lb 3
2020-08-31 Standard gill nets 2.0 (below normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.24 lb 18
1985-07-10 Standard gill nets 2.0 (below normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.21 lb 12
1985-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 1.65 lb 2
1993-08-08 Standard gill nets 4.1 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.50 lb 37
1993-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 3.09 lb 3
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.32 lb 30
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 1.37 lb 3
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 3.13 lb 21
2006-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 2.53 lb 4
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 3.6 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.59 lb 32
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 1

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 1.2 — — 12
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 2.1 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.52 lb 19
2011-08-22 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.09 lb 5
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.60 lb 2
1976-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 1.25 lb 1
2016-08-15 Standard electrofishing 72.6 — 0.87 lb 97
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 1.01 lb 7
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.20 lb 6
2020-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.81 lb 7
1985-07-10 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.30 lb 1
1993-08-08 Survey seining 3.7 — — 11
1993-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 1.17 lb 2
1993-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.18 lb 1
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 2.0 (above normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.08 lb 18
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.19 lb 11
2006-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.7 (above normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.09 lb 15
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.75 lb 5
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.91 lb 6
2011-08-17 Backpack electrofishing 6.0 — — 10
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 2.3 — — 14

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 2.1 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.58 lb 19
2011-08-22 Standard trap nets 2.4 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.17 lb 22
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 2.8 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.27 lb 22
1976-07-14 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.62 lb 12
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.9 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.42 lb 8
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 2.0 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.26 lb 18
2020-08-31 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.59 lb 11
1985-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.14 lb 5
1993-08-08 Standard gill nets 3.1 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.59 lb 28
1993-08-08 Standard trap nets 2.0 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.15 lb 18
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.08 lb 16
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.41 lb 21
2006-08-14 Standard trap nets 2.9 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.17 lb 26
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.56 lb 21
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 4.7 (above normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.69 lb 42
2011-08-17 Backpack electrofishing 3.0 — — 5
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 6

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.1 — — 1
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.04 lb 1
2011-08-22 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.06 lb 7
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 1.9 (normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.42 lb 15
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.34 lb 3
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.46 lb 9
2020-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.7 1.04 lb 2
1985-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.20 lb 1
1993-08-08 Survey seining 0.7 — 0.01 lb 2
1993-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.5 – 2.2 1.11 lb 8
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.30 lb 4
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.46 lb 6
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.79 lb 1
2006-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.46 lb 5

BST

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.1 — 1
2011-08-17 Backpack electrofishing 0.6 — 1

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.1 — 1
1993-08-08 Survey seining 1.0 — 3
2011-08-17 Backpack electrofishing 17.4 — 29
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 0.8 — 5

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 3.2 — 2
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 2.5 — 25
1993-08-08 Survey seining 4.7 — 14
2011-08-17 Backpack electrofishing 29.3 — 49
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 9.7 — 58

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 2.9 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 2.26 lb 26
1976-07-14 Standard gill nets 5.2 (above normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.40 lb 31
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.8 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.7 1.97 lb 6
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.6 (below normal) 1.0 – 5.0 2.96 lb 5
2020-08-31 Standard gill nets 1.9 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.53 lb 17
1985-07-10 Standard gill nets 2.8 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.18 lb 17
1985-07-10 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 0.10 lb 4
1993-08-08 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.17 lb 11
1993-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 4.37 lb 4
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.40 lb 30
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 6.4 (above normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.47 lb 58
2006-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.7 6.01 lb 1
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 7.3 (above normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.89 lb 66

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.34 lb 2
2011-08-22 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.40 lb 1
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.10 lb 1
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.6 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.21 lb 5
2020-08-31 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.37 lb 1
1985-07-10 Standard trap nets 3.5 (normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.09 lb 21
1993-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.30 lb 1
1993-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.05 lb 4
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.7 — 0.03 lb 6
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.3 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.04 lb 12
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.26 lb 2
2006-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.12 lb 8
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 0.4 — 0.35 lb 4

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2011-08-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.0 1.97 lb 3
1976-07-14 Standard gill nets 2.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.0 1.36 lb 14
1976-07-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.7 1.00 lb 1
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.9 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 2.76 lb 8
1985-07-10 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 1.50 lb 4
1993-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 3.12 lb 5
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 1.44 lb 12
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.7 4.63 lb 1
2006-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.9 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 2.19 lb 8
2008-08-11 Standard gill nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.0 1.78 lb 4

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 1.8 — 18

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 1.6 — 1
1993-08-08 Survey seining 0.3 — 1
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 2.0 — 12
2011-08-17 Backpack electrofishing 5.4 — 9

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2011-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.6 — 6
1993-08-08 Survey seining 1.7 — 5
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

Smallmouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.6 4.41 lb 1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 0.48 lb 9

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1993-08-08 Survey seining 4.3 — 13

Mimic Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1993-08-08 Survey seining 2.0 — 6
2011-08-17 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Best Bet Waxworm Wholesale Bait & Breeder Kits

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-2222

★ 5

Bite Me Waxworms Wholesale Bait Shop

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-2222

★ 3.7

Diamond Custom Rods

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 244-4108

★ 5

Fred's Live Bait & Tackle

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-8710

★ 4.8

Frontier Sports

Marcell, MN

(218) 832-3901

★ 4.6

Glen's Army & Navy Store

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-1201

★ 4.3

God's Country Outfitters

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-9866

★ 4.4

Hollywood Bait

Coleraine, MN

(218) 245-1660

★ 4.5

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 Thistledew

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Thistledew.

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 Thistledew. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassSmallmouth BassWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Thistledew

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

Alice

40.62 acres

Allen

57.22 acres

Amen

214.65 acres

Anderson

294.52 acres

Ann

95.53 acres

Antler

233.99 acres

Plan Your Trip to Thistledew

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