Ahsub Lake
Lake County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 38051600
Ahsub Lake has no DNR stocking rows in LakeFinder; this page carries its DNR depth, access and survey data.
- Ahsub Lake shows no stocking records in Minnesota DNR LakeFinder as of .
- Maximum depth 78 ft; surface area 60 acres, 22 littoral acres, 2.5 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 18.0 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: bluegill, hybrid sunfish, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white sucker, yellow perch.
- 2 public accesses on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- Lake County, nearest town Ely; DNR lake number (DOW) 38051600.
Depth map
Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 9/11/1979 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| CA | USF | - 1/8 mile portage from Disappointment Lake in the BWCAW. |
| CA | USF | - 1/8 mile portage from Jitterbug Lake in the BWCAW. |
DNR fish survey, 2024
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 7.75 | 31 | 0.07 |
| White sucker | Standard gill nets | 6.50 | 26 | 1.45 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 2.75 | 11 | 0.13 |
| Hybrid sunfish | Standard gill nets | 1.50 | 6 | 0.08 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 0.50 | 2 | 0.85 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 0.25 | 1 | 9.80 |
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.
Ahsub is a 60-acre designated stream trout lake located 24 miles northeast of Ely in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is deep, clear, and rather unproductive. Two windstorms have torn down much of the forest surrounding the lake, but a few scattered mature trees punctuate the regenerating hardwoods and scrubby oaks. Trout stocking in Ahsub was discontinued after 2010 following reductions in the state stream trout program. The presence of smallmouth bass, and corresponding decreases in assessment catches, result in the decision to cease stocking. Previously rainbow trout, lake trout, splake, and brook trout had been stocked. Access to Ahsub is from either a 26-rod portage to Disappointment Lake or a 24-rod portage to Jitterbug Lake. Two USFS maintained campsites are present. This is a busy travel route, and campers can expect plenty of canoe traffic during peak season. Although Ahsub is no longer managed for stream trout it is still listed as a designated trout lake. Anglers wishing to pursue other species are required to possess a trout stamp. The 2024 survey consisted of four gillnet sets. Bluegill (7.8/net), white sucker (6.5/net), and yellow perch (2.8/net) represented the bulk of the catch. Hybrid sunfish (1.5/net) and smallmouth bass (0.5/net) were present in low numbers. A single 35.5 inch northern pike was captured as well. This was the first-time bluegill, hybrid sunfish, or northern pike had been sampled in Ahsub. The bluegills were small, ranging from about 4-6 inches with an average length of 4.5 inches. Smallmouth bass lengths were 6.5 and 14 inches. Smallmouth bass were likely more abundant than gill nets suggest.
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
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