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We want to see what you've caught on Medicine Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Medicine Lake, MN
- How big is Medicine Lake?
- How deep is Medicine Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Medicine Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Medicine Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Medicine Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Medicine Lake?
- What are the fishing regulations for Medicine Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Medicine Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Medicine Lake?
How big is Medicine Lake?
How deep is Medicine Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Medicine Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Freshwater Drum, Golden Shiner and White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Medicine Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Medicine Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Medicine Lake?
What are the fishing regulations for Medicine Lake?
Explore the Medicine Lake area in a RV
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Bemidji, MN
History & Status of the Fishery
Medicine Lake is a 446-acre lake with a maximum depth of 44 feet located eight miles west of Blackduck in Beltrami County. There is an unimproved public access on the northeast shore of the lake with parking for about ten trucks/trailers. Most of the lakeshore remains undeveloped with the exception of one resort and a small number of lakeshore cabins. Medicine Lake has abundant stands of aquatic vegetation, in particular several species of pondweed known as "cabbage" to anglers. Many of the lake's fish species are associated with this type of habitat throughout the year. Water quality measurements taken in August, 2013 showed good oxygen levels for fish down to a depth of 20 feet. There is a special regulation for northern pike consisting of a 24 to 36-inch protected slot with one pike over 36 inches allowed in the daily possession limit of three fish. Medicine Lake is managed for walleye, northern pike, bluegill, black crappie, and largemouth bass. The lake's walleye population is maintained by fingerling stocking on alternate years. The 2013 fish population assessment walleye catch rate of 5.33 fish per gill net (5.33/GN) was above the range of catch rates considered typical for Lake Class 29 lakes (3/GN). Walleye up to 28.4 inches in length were captured in the assessment, with an average size of 16.1 inches in length and 1.58 lbs. The walleye length frequency distribution consisted of fairly evenly distributed numbers of fish from sixteen to twenty inches (keepers) as well as younger fish less than 13 inches in length, which shows the success of recent stocking efforts and bodes well for the lake's walleye population. The 2013 northern pike catch rate of 10.44/GN was within the normal range for Lake Class 29 lakes but higher than the management goal for the population. Despite the high abundance of pike, the size structure of the population consisted of a good proportion of quality-size fish with 24% of the sample exceeding 30 inches in length. Northern pike up to 35 inches in length were captured during the assessment, with an average size of 24.6 inches and 3.41 lbs. The 2013 bluegill catch rate of 5.38 fish per trap net (5.38/TN) was below the normal range for Lake Class 29. Bluegill have never been particularly abundant in Medicine Lake, although some quality-sized fish up to 9.2 inches in length were captured. Fourteen percent of bluegill captured in the 2013 assessment were greater than eight inches in length. Catch rates for black crappie (3.0/TN and 2.33/GN) were near the upper end of the normal range for Lake Class 29 lakes. Forty-seven percent of black crappie captured were between ten and twelve inches in length. Age-1, age-2 and age-3 black crappie were identified, indicating successful reproduction in recent years. Largemouth bass are not sampled effectively in standard population assessments, but Medicine Lake is known for having a low-density largemouth bass population that produces some large individual fish from time to time. Few anglers pursue the species in Medicine Lake.
What is the average air temp for Medicine Lake?
Are there any state parks near Medicine Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Medicine Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Sandy Lake | 3.2 mi | 261 | 32 ft |
Hagali Lake | 3.5 mi | 97 | 27 ft |
Jackson Lake | 3.6 mi | 128 | 37 ft |
Gull Lake | 3.9 mi | 2,256 | 23 ft |
Silver Lake | 4.0 mi | 77 | 45 ft |
Upper Lindgren Lake | 5.1 mi | 41 | 43 ft |
Blackduck Lake | 5.6 mi | 2,686 | 28 ft |
Carter Lake | 7.3 mi | 31 | 69 ft |
Black Lake | 7.5 mi | 271 | 42 ft |
Little Rice Lake | 7.7 mi | 118 | 26 ft |