Pillager Lake
Cass County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 11032000
DNR records show 5 stocking entries at Pillager Lake since 2017, most recently walleye fry in 2025 (70,000 fish).
- Pillager Lake has 5 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2017-2025): walleye (5).
- The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 350,000 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 39 ft; surface area 205 acres, 72 littoral acres, 2.4 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 16.0 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, tullibee (cisco), white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- Cass County, nearest town Pillager; DNR lake number (DOW) 11032000.
Depth map
Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 6/27/1956 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | fry | 70,000 | 0.6 |
| 2023 | Walleye | fry | 70,000 | 0.6 |
| 2021 | Walleye | fry | 70,000 | 0.6 |
| 2019 | Walleye | fry | 70,000 | 0.6 |
| 2017 | Walleye | fry | 70,000 | 0.6 |
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| concrete ramp | TOW |
DNR fish survey, 2023
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 43.50 | 261 | 0.79 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 2.67 | 16 | 3.40 |
| White sucker | Standard gill nets | 1.50 | 9 | 1.13 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 1.00 | 6 | 0.15 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 0.33 | 2 | 0.28 |
| Yellow bullhead | Standard gill nets | 0.17 | 1 | 0.77 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 0.17 | 1 | 0.11 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 15.22 | 137 | 0.14 |
| Rock bass | Standard trap nets | 0.78 | 7 | 0.35 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 0.78 | 7 | 0.16 |
| Bowfin (dogfish) | Standard trap nets | 0.56 | 5 | 3.42 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 0.56 | 5 | 1.49 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 0.22 | 2 | 0.38 |
| Hybrid sunfish | Standard trap nets | 0.11 | 1 | 0.67 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 0.11 | 1 | 0.06 |
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.
Pillager is a lightly developed, picturesque, little lake nestled into the hillside right off County Rd 1 north of the town of Pillager, MN. It has a park, swimming beach, fishing pier, and public access all at one location on the SW corner. Recent surveys suggest fishing for Tullibee (Cisco) is one of the better options available to anglers. Tullibee (Cisco) were caught in high numbers (43.5/gill net) as they have been in every survey on record. Average size of these fish is 13.1". While Tullibee (Cisco) are currently considered a rough fish with no limit, anglers are asked to show restraint as to protect this unique opportunity. Bluegill numbers were average (15.2/gill net), but size wasn't great. Average size was 5.3" and 20% of the fish were 7" or larger. Walleyes are stocked in odd number years as fry, but net catches have gone down for the last five surveys. No walleyes were captured in 2023. Northern Pike were also caught in low numbers for this type of lake at 2.7/gill net. Average size was 23.8" with 31% above the 22-26" protected slot. Other species such as Black Crappie (0.3/gill net), Yellow Perch (0.2/gill net), and largemouth bass (0.1/trap net) were caught in very low numbers as they have been for several surveys.
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
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