Perch Lake (Cass County)

Cass County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 11082600

DNR records show 10 stocking entries at Perch Lake (Cass County) since 2016, most recently rainbow trout yearlings in 2025 (640 fish).

• Perch Lake (Cass County) has 10 DNR stocking records across 10 years (2016-2025): rainbow trout (10).
• The most-stocked species by count is rainbow trout: 6,397 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 39 ft; surface area 12 acres, 8 littoral acres, 0.8 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 7.5 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: rainbow trout.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: July 31, 2023 (standard survey).
• Cass County, nearest town Backus; DNR lake number (DOW) 11082600.

Stocking history

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2023

Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.

Perch Lake is a 13-acre lake with 0.79 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 39 feet located southwest of Backus, MN. There is a Cass County public access located on the north shore. Perch Lake offers Rainbow Trout fishing in a remote, wilderness setting. The lake is entirely within the Foothills State Forest and the shoreline is undeveloped. Perch Lake is one of four designated stream trout lakes in the Walker Fisheries Management Area. Other stream trout lakes in the Walker Management Area are Diamond, Hazel, and Teepee Lakes. Rainbow Trout were initially stocked in Perch Lake in 1956. Rainbow Trout do not reproduce in the lake and the population is supported entirely by stocking to provide a unique angling opportunity. Rainbow Trout stocking success is dependent on the absence of introduced species. The average length of Rainbow Trout sampled in 2023 was 11 inches, and lengths ranged from 9 to 16 inches. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Perch Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, July 31, 2023.

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