Welch

Cass County, Minnesota — DOW #11049300

196 Surveys

Special Regulations for Welch

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

Daily limit five. (Including connected Crooked Lake)

196.06

Acres

59 ft

Max Depth

0

14

Fish Species

25

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-07	Backpack electrofishing	14.3	—	—	17
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	18.5	—	—	111
1995-08-28	Standard electrofishing	36.1	—	1.40 lb	31
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.35 lb	3
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.10 lb	4
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.60 lb	5
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	5.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.44 lb	47
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.49 lb	1
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.18 lb	1
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.00 lb	4
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	1.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.45 lb	15
2000-08-21	Standard electrofishing	25.3	—	1.38 lb	19
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.04 lb	2
2000-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.10 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.27 lb	5
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	2.07 lb	7
2005-08-22	Standard electrofishing	10.1	—	1.52 lb	7
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.93 lb	7
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.96 lb	3

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-07	Backpack electrofishing	2.5	—	—	3
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	9.8	—	—	59
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	1.3	—	0.34 lb	8
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	8.4 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.23 lb	76
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	5.1 (below normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.20 lb	46
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	1.7	—	0.33 lb	10
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	7.3 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.08 lb	66
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	2.0	—	0.33 lb	12
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	16.7 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.22 lb	150
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	2.8	—	0.18 lb	17
2000-08-21	Standard trap nets	12.4 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.10 lb	112
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.8	—	0.30 lb	5
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	3.6 (below normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.19 lb	32
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	9.0	—	0.10 lb	54
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	22.9 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.07 lb	206

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-07	Backpack electrofishing	2.5	—	—	3
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	7.0	—	—	42
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.42 lb	1
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.25 lb	39
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	2.5	—	0.19 lb	15
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	7.8 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.24 lb	70
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	1.2	—	0.10 lb	7
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	2.9 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.21 lb	26
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	6.5	—	0.12 lb	39
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	6.6 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.17 lb	59
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	2.3	—	0.17 lb	14
2000-08-21	Standard trap nets	2.7 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.17 lb	24
1957-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.15 lb	2
1957-08-13	Standard trap nets	3.4 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.19 lb	34
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	0.28 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	1.9 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.24 lb	17
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	4.0	—	0.20 lb	24
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	8.3 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.18 lb	75

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-07	Backpack electrofishing	23.6	—	28
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	2

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-07	Backpack electrofishing	0.8	—	—	1
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.11 lb	1
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.45 lb	2
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	57.2 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.43 lb	343
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.2	1.00 lb	1
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	11.5 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.83 lb	69
1957-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.80 lb	1

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-07	Backpack electrofishing	8.4	—	—	10
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	21.0	—	—	126
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.15 lb	7
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	17.3 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.14 lb	104
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.25 lb	12
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	17.7 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.15 lb	106
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.19 lb	7
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.09 lb	8
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.19 lb	7
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	68.2 (above normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.12 lb	409
2000-08-21	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.08 lb	12
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	52.5 (above normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.11 lb	315
1957-08-13	Standard trap nets	7.3 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.24 lb	73
1957-08-13	Standard gill nets	88.0 (above normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.24 lb	528
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.05 lb	1
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.11 lb	3
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.10 lb	19
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	14.8 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.09 lb	89

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	2.3	—	14
2021-07-07	Backpack electrofishing	1.7	—	2

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-07	Backpack electrofishing	3.4	—	4
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	1.5	—	9

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	0.8	—	5

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	11.0 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.89 lb	66
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	2.49 lb	4
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.85 lb	26
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	4.12 lb	4
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	14.8 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.32 lb	89
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	1.15 lb	2
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	16.5 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.51 lb	99
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	1.84 lb	7
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	11.7 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.70 lb	70
2000-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	2.12 lb	2
1957-08-13	Standard gill nets	3.3 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.87 lb	20
1957-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	1.93 lb	4
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.64 lb	23
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	2.03 lb	6
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	8.8 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.97 lb	53
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	2.12 lb	2

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	0.7	—	4

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	1
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.04 lb	2
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.22 lb	3
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.85 lb	2
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.42 lb	4
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.11 lb	1
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.45 lb	3
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.29 lb	7
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	1.9 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.24 lb	17
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	2.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.35 lb	15
2000-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.14 lb	3
1957-08-13	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.33 lb	18
1957-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.53 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.35 lb	7
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.26 lb	8
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 1.8	0.06 lb	5

BCS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	1.5	—	9

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2021-07-07	15-ft beach seine	2.2	—	13

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	1.15 lb	1
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.70 lb	4
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.87 lb	6
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.63 lb	3
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	9.0 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.52 lb	54
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.57 lb	8
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.53 lb	8
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.42 lb	20
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	31.5 (above normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.58 lb	189
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	3.7 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.59 lb	33
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	2.2 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.82 lb	13

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-08-28	Standard electrofishing	8.1	—	0.96 lb	7
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.57 lb	21
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	4.82 lb	2
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	1.2 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	2.97 lb	7
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	4.50 lb	1
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.73 lb	14
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.52 lb	23
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	4.00 lb	2
2000-08-21	Standard electrofishing	16.0	—	0.91 lb	12
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.29 lb	23
1957-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.35 lb	30
1957-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	2.23 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.74 lb	11
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	3.07 lb	2
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.57 lb	9

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-08-28	Standard electrofishing	40.7	—	0.69 lb	35
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.49 lb	7
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.58 lb	3
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.46 lb	12
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	1.02 lb	4
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	2.8 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.05 lb	17
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.55 lb	16
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.30 lb	3
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.05 lb	2
2000-08-21	Standard electrofishing	16.0	—	0.43 lb	12
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.05 lb	8
2000-08-21	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.40 lb	13
1957-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	1.30 lb	1
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	6.5 (above normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.49 lb	39
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	4.7 (above normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.68 lb	42
2005-08-22	Standard electrofishing	21.6	—	0.31 lb	15
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.55 lb	15
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	1.02 lb	3

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-08-28	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	2.33 lb	18
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 4.8	3.75 lb	2
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	2.64 lb	7
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	2.55 lb	11
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	1.38 lb	8
1957-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	3.00 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	2.26 lb	3
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 4.8	2.30 lb	8

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1995-08-28	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.60 lb	2
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	1.65 lb	2
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.50 lb	3
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.28 lb	1
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	5.70 lb	1
2000-08-21	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.24 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	1.77 lb	1

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1987-08-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.55 lb	2
1987-08-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.50 lb	3
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.60 lb	1
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.65 lb	12
1991-08-26	Standard gill nets	4.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.93 lb	27
2000-08-21	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.41 lb	1
1957-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.40 lb	1
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.97 lb	3
2015-08-24	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.99 lb	4
2005-08-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.13 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.77 lb	1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-17	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.08 lb	1
2020-08-17	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.10 lb	3
1991-08-26	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.70 lb	1
2015-08-24	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.06 lb	1
2005-08-22	Standard gill nets	1.3	—	0.25 lb	8

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1957-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.7	1.80 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Bar Harbor Pontoon Rentals

Lake Shore, MN

★ 5

Bentley Pontoons Boat & Snowmobile Storage

Longville, MN

Blackwater lake access

Longville, MN

★ 4.8

Bradford & Blake Boat Storage

Hackensack, MN

Brainerd Lakes Marine LLC

Pequot Lakes, MN

Captain Gary Leech Lake Pontoon Rental

Walker, MN

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Welch

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Welch.

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

Fishing Resort Longville

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

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

Fishing Guides Near Welch

Adventures Guide Service

(218) 232-6556

Bobby G's Guide Service

(218) 831-7711

Boggs Fishing Adventures

(218) 820-5612

Brainerd Lakes Area Guide Service

(763) 670-6033

Brainerd Lakes Guides

(218) 866-2876

Chuck Emery Guide Service

(218) 536-0348

View all 25 guides →

Other Lakes in Cass County

Ada

Agate

Alice

Andrus

Anway

Baby

Plan Your Trip to Welch

Weather forecast for Welch — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.2556°N, 94.5597°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.