Holly Lake
Cook County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 16036600
DNR records show 1 stocking entry at Holly Lake since 2018, most recently walleye fingerlings in 2018 (1,664 fish).
- Holly Lake has 1 DNR stocking record across 1 year (2018-2018): walleye (1).
- The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 1,664 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 6 ft; surface area 76 acres, 76 littoral acres, 1.8 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 4.7 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- Cook County, nearest town Lutsen; DNR lake number (DOW) 16036600.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Walleye2 | fingerlings | 1,664 | 104.0 |
2 fish purchased by the DNR for stocking.
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 | USF | On the SE shore of the lake, off Cook County Road 4 (the Caribou Trail). |
DNR fish survey, 2023
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden shiner | 1/4-in trap nets | 23.67 | 142 | 0.00 |
| Blacknose dace | 1/4-in trap nets | 9.00 | 54 | 0.00 |
| Yellow perch | 1/4-in trap nets | 4.83 | 29 | 0.02 |
| Pumpkinseed | 1/4-in trap nets | 3.33 | 20 | 0.03 |
| White sucker | 1/4-in trap nets | 2.00 | 12 | 2.82 |
| Blacknose shiner | 1/4-in trap nets | 1.17 | 7 | 0.00 |
| Northern pike | 1/4-in trap nets | 0.50 | 3 | 2.22 |
| Walleye | 1/4-in trap nets | 0.33 | 2 | 0.96 |
| White sucker | Standard gill nets | 21.50 | 43 | 1.46 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 18.00 | 36 | 0.13 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 6.50 | 13 | 3.28 |
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 5.50 | 11 | 1.83 |
| White sucker | Standard trap nets | 2.67 | 16 | 2.50 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 2.50 | 15 | 0.11 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 1.67 | 10 | 2.40 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 1.00 | 6 | 2.31 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard trap nets | 1.00 | 6 | 0.04 |
| Golden shiner | Standard trap nets | 0.17 | 1 | 0.09 |
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.
Holly is 75-acre lake located about 11 miles north of Lutsen. Public access is through a boat landing on the southeast bay of the lake. Holly has historically been managed for walleye with supplemental stocking since the 1970s. Walleye stocking was discontinued in 2018 after survey results showed a healthy naturally reproducing population. Primary and secondary management species are walleye and northern pike. The 2023 standard survey of Holly Lake was conducted to evaluate the walleye and northern pike populations in the lake. Walleye catch rates in both gill nets and trap nets are above average when compared to similar lakes in the area, and slightly higher than in the last two surveys for Holly Lake. Size structure of the walleye captured ranged from 3.2 to 23.7 inches with a mean of around 14.6 inches. Both the abundance and size goals for walleye were met in the 2023 survey. Aging results indicated the presence of 8 year classes with 6 of them appearing to be naturally reproduced. The oldest individual sampled was 12 years old. Evidence of continued naturally reproduction is a good sign for the walleye population in Holly Lake. Growth appeared to be slightly above average for area lakes. The catch of northern pike in the gill nets and standard trap nets are above average when compared to similar lakes in the area, and comparable to the previous two surveys in Holly Lake. Size structure of the northern pike captured ranged from 10.9 to 30.9 inches with a mean length of 22.9 inches. Both the abundance and size goals for northern pike were met in this survey. Anglers looking to target northern pike may find good action with the presence of some larger individuals. Yellow perch abundance was higher than the previous survey but still lower than historical values in Holly Lake. Even with the thriving walleye and northern pike populations, the yellow perch catch is above average for similar area lakes. Yellow perch ranged from 5.4 inches to 10.9 inches with a mean length of 6.3 inches. The prevalence and size of yellow perch in Holly Lake not only make great forage for piscivores predator populations but may also be of interest to anglers. White sucker abundance was higher than previous two surveys but remains similar to historical values recorded. Pumpkinseed and golden shiner were additional species captured in the 0.25-inch trap nets in smaller numbers. Cook County, Minnesota lakes continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health.…
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
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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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