Esther Lake
Cook County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 16002300
DNR records show 13 stocking entries at Esther Lake since 2016, most recently brook trout fingerlings in 2025 (1,902 fish).
- Esther Lake has 13 DNR stocking records across 10 years (2016-2025): splake (9), rainbow trout (3), brook trout (1).
- The most-stocked species by count is splake: 34,712 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 35 ft, mean depth 16 ft; surface area 78 acres, 35 littoral acres, 3.0 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 8.4 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: rainbow trout, splake, white sucker.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (targeted survey).
- Cook County, nearest town Hovland; DNR lake number (DOW) 16002300.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Brook Trout | fingerlings | 1,902 | 76.0 |
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 2,000 | 714.3 |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 2,000 | 689.7 |
| 2024 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,520 | 79.3 |
| 2023 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 2,000 | 689.7 |
| 2023 | Splake | fingerlings | 2,000 | 79.7 |
| 2022 | Splake | fingerlings | 4,718 | 124.8 |
| 2021 | Splake | fingerlings | 5,000 | 128.5 |
| 2020 | Splake | fingerlings | 4,000 | 129.9 |
| 2019 | Splake | fingerlings | 4,549 | 171.0 |
| 2018 | Splake | fingerlings | 3,925 | 178.4 |
| 2017 | Splake | fingerlings | 4,000 | 196.1 |
| 2016 | Splake | fingerlings | 4,000 | 90.9 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| gravel ramp | Minnesota DNR |
DNR fish survey, 2024
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White sucker | Standard trap nets | 3.80 | 38 | 1.35 |
| Splake | Standard trap nets | 1.20 | 12 | 0.40 |
| Rainbow trout | Standard trap nets | 0.50 | 5 | 0.58 |
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.
Esther Lake is a small, 78-acre lake with a maximum depth of 35 ft and is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Hovland. There is a small boat access and a couple of camp sites located on the northeast side of the lake. Esther Lake is a designated stream trout lake and has been actively stocked with rainbow trout and splake since 1987. In 2024, a targeted survey was conducted using standard trap nets to assess the current fish community and evaluate the success of rainbow trout and splake stocking efforts. Splake are the primary management species within Esther Lake. Catch rates were down from the previous survey in 2015, and did not meet management goals. Splake were relatively small and ranged from 7.9 to 12.4 inches. Aging results revealed only three stocked year classes, which is a reduction from previous surveys that found older fish. Based on the size structure and aging results, anglers should expect to find low catch rates of smaller sized splake in Esther Lake. Rainbow trout abundance remains low within Esther Lake, but this has been the trend historically. Only two-year-old fish were found in the survey and averaged 11.5 inches in size. Anglers looking to catch rainbow trout should target Esther Lake in the spring/early summer when there seems to be more fish present from stocking efforts. White sucker catch rates were higher compared to similar lakes, but were average for Esther Lake based on previous surveys. 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. Regulations, slot limits and special rules are on the DNR page linked above, not here.
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