Kimball Lake (Cook County)
Cook County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 16004500
DNR records show 15 stocking entries at Kimball Lake (Cook County) since 2016, most recently brown trout fingerlings in 2025 (2,000 fish).
- Kimball Lake (Cook County) has 15 DNR stocking records across 10 years (2016-2025): rainbow trout (10), brown trout (5).
- The most-stocked species by count is rainbow trout: 44,991 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 16 ft, mean depth 9 ft; surface area 77 acres, 75 littoral acres, 1.8 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 10.1 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: brown trout, rainbow trout, splake, yellow perch.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (targeted survey).
- Cook County, nearest town Grand Marais; DNR lake number (DOW) 16004500.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Brown Trout | fingerlings | 2,000 | 105.3 |
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,500.0 |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,500.0 |
| 2023 | Brown Trout | fingerlings | 2,000 | 80.0 |
| 2023 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,500.0 |
| 2022 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,500.0 |
| 2021 | Brown Trout | fingerlings | 2,000 | 111.1 |
| 2021 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,551.7 |
| 2020 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,551.7 |
| 2019 | Brown Trout | fingerlings | 2,000 | 111.1 |
| 2019 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,500.0 |
| 2018 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,491 | 1,603.9 |
| 2017 | Brown Trout | fingerlings | 2,000 | 69.0 |
| 2017 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,500.0 |
| 2016 | Rainbow Trout | yearlings | 4,500 | 1,629.5 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| concrete ramp | USF | Access on the east side of the lake, in the USFS campground. Parking available for five vehicles, turning space is limited. |
DNR fish survey, 2024
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 13.50 | 135 | 0.10 |
| Splake | Standard trap nets | 2.70 | 27 | 0.70 |
| Rainbow trout | Standard trap nets | 1.90 | 19 | 0.72 |
| Brown trout | Standard trap nets | 0.10 | 1 | 5.13 |
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.
Kimball Lake is a small, 77-acre lake with a maximum depth of 16 ft and is located approximately 12 miles northeast of Grand Marais. There is a small boat access and campground located on the northeast side of the lake. Kimball Lake is a designated stream trout lake and has been actively stocked with varying rates of rainbow trout and brown trout since 1992. 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 brown trout stocking efforts. Rainbow trout are the primary management species within Kimball Lake. Catch rates were down but still above historical long-term average for the lake and continue to meet management goals. Rainbow trout lengths ranged from 10.1 to 16.5 inches and averaged 12.2 inches. Age and size data suggest that three stocked year classes of rainbow trout were present, with the oldest fish being 4 years old. Multiple year classes continue to exist in Kimball Lake; however growth is relatively slow. Anglers can expect average catches of eater sized Rainbow Trout from Kimball Lake. Brown trout have been stocked during odd-numbered years in Kimball Lake and catches from the 2024 survey were very low. Only one brown trout was caught during the survey, however it was aged at seven years old and measured 22.5 inches. Anglers looking to target Brown Trout in Kimball Lake can expect lower catches but have the opportunity at catching a trophy sized fish. Splake continue to be present in Kimball Lake and are likely downstream migrants from Mink Lake. Splake abundance was the highest ever recorded. Splake ranged from 9.2 to 17.8 inches and offer some decent angling opportunities. Yellow perch catch rates were found to be high during the 2024 survey and indicate they have been established for some time. Due to unwanted yellow perch, a lake reclamation may be considered to maintain this multi-stream trout fishery. 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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