Chester Lake
Cook County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 16003300
DNR records show 5 stocking entries at Chester Lake since 2017, most recently brown trout yearlings in 2025 (800 fish).
- Chester Lake has 5 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2017-2025): brown trout (5).
- The most-stocked species by count is brown trout: 4,000 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 35 ft, mean depth 14 ft; surface area 52 acres, 29 littoral acres, 1.5 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 9.6 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: brown trout, rainbow smelt, white sucker.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- Cook County, nearest town Hovland; DNR lake number (DOW) 16003300.
Depth map
Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey mapped 2/1/1937 (orig map); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Brown Trout | yearlings | 800 | 160.0 |
| 2023 | Brown Trout | yearlings | 800 | 200.0 |
| 2021 | Brown Trout | yearlings | 800 | 200.0 |
| 2019 | Brown Trout | yearlings | 800 | 160.0 |
| 2017 | Brown Trout | yearlings | 800 | 177.4 |
Field note · Minnesota stocks by year, not by truck day: walleye fry go in within weeks of ice-out, fingerlings and yearlings mostly in fall, and stream trout in spring and fall. A row here means the fish went in during that year; DNR adds the year's rows after the fact, so the current year can look empty until winter.
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| CA | Minnesota DNR | Carry-down access (10 yd carry) and small campground on north shore, with parking for four vehicles. |
DNR fish survey, 2024
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fathead minnow | 1/4-in trap nets | 30.00 | 120 | 0.00 |
| RBS | 1/4-in trap nets | 27.25 | 109 | 0.01 |
| White sucker | 1/4-in trap nets | 5.00 | 20 | 0.83 |
| Brown trout | 1/4-in trap nets | 0.75 | 3 | 1.61 |
| Brook stickleback | 1/4-in trap nets | 0.50 | 2 | 0.00 |
| White sucker | Standard gill nets | 17.50 | 35 | 0.98 |
| Brown trout | Standard gill nets | 6.00 | 12 | 1.51 |
| RBS | Standard gill nets | 0.50 | 1 | 0.02 |
| White sucker | Standard trap nets | 1.80 | 9 | 0.98 |
| Creek chub | Standard trap nets | 1.20 | 6 | 0.00 |
| Brown trout | Standard trap nets | 0.40 | 2 | 0.75 |
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.
Chester Lake is a small, 52-acre lake with a maximum depth of 35 ft and is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Hovland. Chester Lake lies within the Lake Superior North watershed, draining to Lake Superior via Portage Brook and the Pigeon River. There is a small carry-in access located on the north end of the lake. Chester Lake is a designated stream trout lake and has been actively stocked with different species of stream trout since 1948. In 2024, a standard survey was conducted using gillnets and trap nets to assess the current fish community and evaluate the success of brown trout stocking efforts. Brown trout are the primary management species in Chester Lake and catches from the 2024 survey were above the management goal of 4.0 fish/net and above the long-term average for the lake. Brown trout lengths ranged from 12.2 to 17.2 inches, with an average length of 15.3 inches. Ninety-one percent of the brown trout caught were longer than 13.0 inches, providing anglers the opportunity to catch quality sized fish. Aging results revealed individuals from three stocked year classes. Four and six year old brown trout averaged 14.0 and 16.7 inches, respectively. Growth rates were good likely due to the presence of rainbow smelt as forage for brown trout. Rainbow smelt were first introduced into Chester Lake in 1978. Rainbow smelt populations peaked in 2010 and have been declining since. No Rainbow Smelt were caught using small-mesh gillnets during the 2024 survey but were found in average numbers in standard gill nets and ¼ inch trap nets. Rainbow smelt continue to provide a good forage base for brown trout. White sucker abundance has been slowly increasing in Chester Lake and had the highest catch rate ever recorded during the 2024 survey. White sucker lengths ranged from 6.9 to 16.8 inches and averaged 12.7 inches. Continued increases in white sucker abundance may have adverse effects on the brown trout population within Chester Lake. Quarter-inch trap nets found brook stickleback and fathead minnows in addition to the species listed above. Fathead minnows were found in decent numbers and likely provide additional forage in shallow waters. 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, .
All Minnesota stockings · every Minnesota lake with a page · state CSV · this lake on DNR LakeFinder
Stocking rows, depths, accesses and survey figures are Minnesota DNR LakeFinder data as of 2026-09-02; contours are the DNR bathymetric survey. Regulations, slot limits and special rules are on the DNR page linked above, not here.
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