Vale Lake

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

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 16006100

DNR records show 5 stocking entries at Vale Lake since 2016, most recently brook trout fingerlings in 2024 (2,500 fish).

• Vale Lake has 5 DNR stocking records across 5 years (2016-2024): brook trout (5).
• The most-stocked species by count is brook trout: 10,000 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 34 ft; surface area 24 acres, 13 littoral acres, 0.9 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 11.3 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: brook trout, white sucker.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: September 8, 2015 (standard survey).
• Cook County, nearest town Grand Marais; DNR lake number (DOW) 16006100.

Stocking history

⁸ fish cooperatively purchased, raised, and/or stocked by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2015

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.

Vale Lake is a small designated stream trout located in the BWCA on a non-motor route. This lake has a reputation of producing some large trout for those willing to take the time to access the lake. Access is via a moderate-length but rugged portage trail from the south shore of Pine Lake. Vale Lake provides some shore-fishing opportunity for those that don't wish to portage in watercraft. Fishing sites on the north and south shores of the lake can be reached by foot travel from the end of the portage trail. Brook Trout were abundant in Vale Lake in the fall 2015 survey and some large fish were present. This assessment was done with two gill net sets which sampled a total of 39 Brook Trout ranging in length from 8.3 inches to 16.1 inches, with an average length of 14.0 inches. The catch of 14.5 Brook Trout per net was higher than the average of six per net seen in stream trout lakes in this area. All Brook Trout taken were one or three years of age, and were probably from the fall 2012 and 2014 stockings. Growth was about average for a lake of this type. The 2015 white sucker catch was the second highest observed in this lake; lengths ranged from 6.5 inches to 15.0 inches. The average size was small at 8.5 inches. High populations of white sucker in a stream trout lake could cause reduced growth rates for trout due to high competition for invertebrate forage. Possible forage fish were observed in the form of large schools of dace (minnows), and abundant leeches along the shoreline. The smaller sucker could provide additional forage for the larger trout in the lake. Caution should be used when crossing Pine Lake to access this lake as even a moderate West (or East) wind can produce large waves and dangerous conditions for canoeing on that lake.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, September 8, 2015.

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