Toohey Lake

How big is Toohey Lake?

How deep is Toohey Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Toohey Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Toohey 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 Toohey Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Toohey Lake

Are there boat launches on Toohey Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Toohey Lake?

Toohey Lake is a 369 acre lake located 11 miles northwest of Tofte in the Superior National Forest. The lake has a maximum depth of 11 feet and maintains a natural population of walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and white suckers. The lake is undeveloped and receives moderate fishing pressure in the summer and low pressure in the winter. In most winters snowmobiles are required to access the lake because the main road to the lake is not normally plowed.

There is a shallow, sand boat ramp with a small dock and five-unit rustic campground on the southwest end of the lake. Toohey has a very gradual drop-off. The shallow (less than 3 feet), sandy, near-shore habitat extends 200 feet or more from dry land in most parts of the lake. Therefore, it is difficult to submerge a boat trailer and in many cases boats need to be pushed or carried off of trailers, making the access most suited to small boats and canoes. This very gradual drop-off also makes shore-fishing difficult around Toohey. Even beyond the drop-off, the lake remains fairly shallow but the deepest pockets of water can be found around the northeast side of the lake's island.

Although Toohey's unique lake structure can pose a challenge to anglers fishing from shore or large boats, it is very good fish habitat. The shallow, sandy, near-shore habitat, with its many bulrush stands, creates good spawning habitat for walleye and yellow perch. Toohey is not stocked and yet it naturally produces numbers of walleye and yellow perch far above average for the Finland Area.

Walleye abundances are very high in Toohey. In 2012, 40% of walleye sampled were 15-18 inches and the average size was 1 pound. The largest walleye sampled was 26.6 inches and 6.6 pounds; it was 19 years old! Although walleye are usually most active in low light hours, such as at twilight and at night, Toohey's dark, bog-stained water makes catching walleyes at mid-day possible.

Toohey's yellow perch population contains relatively high numbers of larger fish. In the 2012 assessment, 35% of perch sampled were over 8 inches long and their average weight was 0.4 pounds. Yellow perch in Toohey grow faster than average for the Finland Area and a high abundance of young-of-the year perch in 2012 suggests that the population could keep producing high numbers of large fish.

Northern pike abundance in Toohey Lake was below average for the Finland Area in 2012, but typical of Toohey's sampling history. In the past 30 years, northern pike catch rates have always been low and fish are typically small (less than 1 pound). The largest northern pike sampled in 2012 was only 18 inches long.

Overall, Toohey is a veritable fish factory for yellow perch and walleye. High abundances of these species sized for table fare can provide very good fishing. However, the lake is most suited to smaller watercrafts and anglers may need to get crafty mid-summer when the availability of small perch as prey can cause a reluctant walleye bite.

Are there any state parks near Toohey Lake?