Little Jessie Lake
Itasca County, Minnesota, near Deer River. DNR lake ID 31078400.
Little Jessie Lake is a 627.9-acre lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Deer River. Its deepest point reaches 50 ft, and about 33% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 13.3 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring. It is not on the DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill.
Buying or selling on Little Jessie Lake? Ask us what lakeshore here actually sells for, which stretches of shoreline buyers compete for, and what’s coming up before it’s listed.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 31078400 |
|---|---|
| County | Itasca County, near Deer River |
| Surface area | 627.9 acres |
| Maximum depth | 50 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 33% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 13.3 ft through 2025 (satellite estimate) |
| Invasive species | Not on DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026) |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 13.3 ft.
Fishing on Little Jessie Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2019 (7 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 6.33 | 3.3 to 8.8 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.25 | 0.2 to 0.8 |
| Northern pike | gill | 1.67 | 2.8 to 9.0 |
| Yellow perch | gill | 3.33 | 7.0 to 46.3 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 2.08 | 0.6 to 3.5 |
| Bluegill | trap | 3.17 | 4.4 to 49.0 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 0.17 | 0.3 to 1.4 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 0.08 | 0.3 to 1.3 |
| Smallmouth bass | gill | 0.42 | 0.1 to 0.9 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | gill | 15.58 | 0.8 to 6.2 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 0.25 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.83 | 1.8 to 7.8 |
| Rock bass | gill | 1.67 | 0.6 to 3.9 |
| Rock bass | trap | 1.42 | 0.5 to 2.5 |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 0.42 | n/a |
Walleye catch was within the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Walleye 25.0 in (2019), Largemouth bass 16.0 in (2019), Smallmouth bass 19.0 in (2019), Northern pike 29.0 in (2019).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Tullibee (cisco), Bowfin, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
No lake-specific regulation found in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
Not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means no confirmed listing, not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
Public boat access
- Little Jessie Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 8 trailer spaces. 4 mi S of Talmoon on Mn Hwy 6, then 3 mi NW on Cnty Rd 35, then 0.25 mi S on Cnty Rd 133, then E on access road to NW shore. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- Jessie Lake 2.0 mi, Itasca County
- Little Turtle Lake 4.5 mi, Itasca County
- Bowstring Lake 4.7 mi, Itasca County
- Little Spring Lake 4.8 mi, Itasca County
- Little Too Much Lake 5.1 mi, Itasca County
- Pike Lake 5.8 mi, Itasca County
- South Ackerman Lake 5.9 mi, Itasca County
- Peterson Lake 5.9 mi, Itasca County
Questions about Little Jessie Lake
How deep is Little Jessie Lake?
Little Jessie Lake reaches a maximum depth of 50 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 33% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Little Jessie Lake?
Little Jessie Lake covers about 627.9 acres in Itasca County, Minnesota.
How clear is Little Jessie Lake?
Summer water clarity on Little Jessie Lake averages 13.3 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025.
Does Little Jessie Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
Little Jessie Lake is not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means there is no confirmed listing; it is not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
What fish are in Little Jessie Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass in Little Jessie Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2019.
Where is the public boat access on Little Jessie Lake?
Little Jessie Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Little Jessie Lake.
How is the walleye population on Little Jessie Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1990 to 2019, walleye numbers on Little Jessie Lake ran mostly within the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Little Jessie Lake?
Homes on Little Jessie Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Little Jessie Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Little Jessie Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 33% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 13.3 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Little Jessie Lake?
No lake-specific regulation was found for Little Jessie Lake in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about Little Jessie Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Itasca County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2019), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.