Musquash Lake

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

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 16010400

DNR records show 7 stocking entries at Musquash Lake since 2016, most recently splake fingerlings in 2024 (6,000 fish).

• Musquash Lake has 7 DNR stocking records across 7 years (2016-2024): splake (7).
• The most-stocked species by count is splake: 42,000 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 26 ft; surface area 131 acres, 66 littoral acres, 2.5 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 9.9 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: splake, white sucker.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: July 16, 2025 (standard survey).
• Cook County, nearest town Grand Marais; DNR lake number (DOW) 16010400.

Stocking history

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2025

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.

Musquash Lake is a small, 140-acre lake with a maximum depth of 26.0 feet located 11 miles north of Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. Access to the lake is considered moderate, with an approximate one mile drive down a rugged forest road (FR 1442) and then a 0.5-mile portage into the lake. Access to the lake in the winter is significantly easier with a snowmobile. Musquash Lake is currently managed for splake and is annually stocked with 6,000 fingerlings during the fall. The long-range goal for splake is to maintain a minimum gillnet catch of 13.0 fish/net with three catchable age classes present. In 2025, a standard survey was conducted on Musquash Lake to assess the splake population. Splake abundance continues to be relatively high from gillnet sets at 27.0 fish/net and met the management objective for the lake. Splake lengths ranged from 10.0 to 17.8 inches, with an average length of 13.0 inches. The size structure was good with over half the catch greater than 13.0 inches. The catch was made up of age two, three, and four-year-old fish coming from the 2023, 2022, and 2021 stocking events. Growth was average compared to other Grand Marais area lakes, but good for the lake considering the high numbers of fish present. Habitat for splake were limited during the summer, with surface waters being too warm and deep waters limited of oxygen. It does appear the splake can withstand these stressful conditions during the summer enough to continue supporting the population in the future. Anglers looking to fish Musquash Lake should expect to work harder getting into the lake but be rewarded with high catches of larger sized splake. White sucker abundance was also high during the survey and similar to the long-term average, but does not appear to be affecting the splake population at this time. 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.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, July 16, 2025.

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