White Earth Lake

How big is White Earth Lake?

How deep is White Earth Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in White Earth Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available White Earth Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of White Earth Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

White Earth Lake

Are there boat launches on White Earth Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near White Earth Lake?

White Earth Lake continues to provide an excellent natural walleye fishery. This lake has not been stocked with walleye for nearly 30 years. The vast majority of angling pressure in this lake is directed at walleye. Test net catches of walleye in White Earth Lake have consistently remained high (averaging over 23 walleyes per set since 1980). The 2012 catch rate was 23.3 walleyes per set. Only in the two surveys conducted before 1980 were net catches of walleye as low as the normal range for similar lakes (4-10 walleyes per set). Several strong year classes of walleye were found in 2012. Ages one, four, and seven walleyes were most abundant. Sampled walleyes averaged just under a pound each. Walleye growth rates continued to be somewhat slower than statewide averages.

Although they constitute a smaller portion of the angler catch, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, and black crappie each add to the diverse fishery available in White Earth Lake. This is one of a few area lakes where smallmouth bass exist. The smallmouth bass sample was dominated by young fish (45% were yearlings). Net catches of bluegill were moderate with sampled fish from all length groups between 2.5 and 8.5 inches. With the presence of tullibee (cisco) and cool, well-oxygenated water in the thermocline, northern pike have the potential to grow large if they can escape harvest for several years. In White Earth Lake, it takes about seven or eight years to grow a 30-inch pike.

Several other species were sampled in this lake. Tullibee (cisco) catches were near the historic highs in 2012 at 4.6 fish per set. Cisco are often considered a biological indicator of good water quality. Yellow perch catches were low and sizes of sampled fish were down although there were a couple sampled over 11 inches in length. White sucker, brown and yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, hybrid sunfish, and abundant rock bass were also sampled in test nets in 2012.

A single lake sturgeon was sampled in 2002. While lake sturgeon are known to have been found in White Earth in the early part of the twentieth century, none had ever been captured in test nets. Lake sturgeon were believed to have been extirpated years ago from the Red River watershed by dams, pollution, and overfishing. In 2007, lake sturgeon catch rates climbed to 7.2 per gill net and in 2012 to 11.3 per net. Local residents also reported the observation of sturgeon jumping out of the water during recent summers. These fish were stocked by the White Earth Biology Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service beginning in 2001. A sturgeon restoration program in several portions of the Red River basin, involving state, tribal, and federal governments, is ongoing. Other regional sturgeon stocking sites include Round Lake, Wild Rice River, Detroit Lake, Buffalo River, Red Lake River, Otter Tail River, and Otter Tail Lake. All these sites were known to hold sturgeon at times in the past.

Anglers and property owners can help to maintain good fishing, good water quality, and property values in several ways. One way is to release medium to large fish. Another way is to conserve and protect natural fish habitat. Bulrushes and cattails are particularly valuable for fish spawning, feeding, and rearing, as well as for shoreline erosion reduction and nutrient uptake. This is particularly helpful to walleye populations since they require clean, wave-washed gravel or rubble substrate for successful spawning. White Earth Lake's excellent fish populations are sustainable with care and stewarship from its watershed inhabitants and users.

What is the average air temp for White Earth Lake?

Are there any state parks near White Earth Lake?