Bingshick Lake

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

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 16062700

DNR records show 5 stocking entries at Bingshick Lake since 2016, most recently brook trout fingerlings in 2024 (2,000 fish).

• Bingshick Lake has 5 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2016-2024): brook trout (5).
• The most-stocked species by count is brook trout: 9,500 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 37 ft; surface area 46 acres, 22 littoral acres, 1.8 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 11.3 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: brook trout, white sucker.
• 2 public accesses on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: June 18, 2024 (standard survey).
• Cook County, nearest town Grand Marais; DNR lake number (DOW) 16062700.

Stocking history

⁸ fish cooperatively purchased, raised, and/or stocked by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2024

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.

Bingshick Lake is a small, 45-acre lake with a maximum depth of 37 ft and is primarily managed for brook trout. Bingshick Lake lies entirely within the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness and is a part of the Rainy River Headwaters watershed. Access is difficult due to multiple portages from BWCAW entry point #52 (Round Lake) or an approximate 3.0-mile portage via the Kekekabic trail from the Gunflint Trail parking lot. In 2024, a standard survey was conducted using gillnets to assess the current fish community and evaluate the success of brook trout stocking efforts. The 2024 survey was the eighth survey conducted on Bingshick Lake since 1983, and the results were similar to previous surveys. The brook trout catch rate was above average and exceeded the 4.0 fish/net goal for the lake. Brook trout lengths ranged from 9.8 to 17.4 inches with an average length of 13.0 inches. The population was comprised of age two and four fish, with age four fish being larger than 14 inches. Growth rates were average compared to similar stocked brook trout lakes within the Grand Marais area. Bingshick Lake continues to provide the opportunity to catch memorable sized brook trout within the Grand Marais area that will likely satisfy anglers looking to catch larger fish. White sucker abundance has been slowly increasing in Bingshick Lake and were relatively high in the 2024 survey. White sucker lengths ranged from 6.7 to 18.7 inches. Continued increases in white sucker abundance may have adverse effects on the brook trout population within Bingshick Lake. Green sunfish were also present within the lake, although not large enough to be of interest to anglers. Minnesota Lakes within Cook County continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health. Anglers should clean watercraft and fishing gear, drain all water, and dispose of unused bait in the trash to prevent accidental introductions to these pristine waters within this part of the state.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, June 18, 2024.

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