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We want to see what you've caught on Pughole Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Pughole Lake, MN
- How big is Pughole Lake?
- How deep is Pughole Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Pughole Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Pughole Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Pughole Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Pughole Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Pughole Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Pughole Lake?
How big is Pughole Lake?
How deep is Pughole Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Pughole Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish and White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Pughole Lake area?
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Are there boat launches on Pughole Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Pughole Lake?
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History & Status of the Fishery
Pughole Lake is a class 35 lake located 13 miles north of Grand Rapids, MN in the Mississippi River watershed. The lake has a surface area of 152 acres, a maximum depth of 23 feet, and moderate shoreline development. Pughole Lake is primarily managed for northern pike and panfish.
The 2009 northern pike gill-net catch was 3.8/net, below the lake class median but similar to the two previous assessments. Northern pike size structure was fairly poor. Sampled pike ranged from 16.9 to 33.5 inches with a mean length of 20.6 inches. Ages 2-4, and 8 were identified from cleithra and scale samples. Growth was similar to the statewide average with individuals growing to 21.4 inches in 4 years.
The black crappie trap-net catch rate remained near the lake class first quartile at 1.0/net. Trap-net sampled fish ranged from 5.6 to 11.5 inches with a mean length of 9.5 inches. Ages 2-4, 6 and 7 were identified from scale samples. Growth was similar to the statewide average for all ages, with fish reaching 10.1 inches in 6 years.
The trap-net catch rate for bluegill remained within the expected range at 14.9/net. Size structure was moderate with fish ranging from 3.3 to 8.8 inches, with a mean length of 7.1 inches. Recruitment appeared consistent, with ages 2-8, and 10 represented in the sample. Growth was similar to the lake class average for all ages, with fish growing to 6.9 inches in 6 years.
Largemouth bass are also fairly abundant in Pughole Lake. Since traditional summer test-netting does not give a good representation of a lake's bass population, night electrofishing was conducted in June 2009. This assessment recorded a moderate catch rate of 21 fish/hour of on-time. Largemouth bass size structure was modest. Sampled bass ranged from 8.2 to 17.0 inches with a mean length of 12.3 inches and a mean weight of 1.1 pounds. Age analysis revealed fish from age 3-7, and 10 were represented. Back-calculated lengths-at-age were similar to the statewide average for all ages, with fish reaching 14.6 inches in 6 years.
Yellow perch gill-net catch rates have generally been low, and declined in the 2009 assessment to below the first quartile at 1.8/net. Sampled perch ranged from 5.9 to 6.6 inches with a mean length of 6.2 inches.
One walleye (23 inches) was captured in a trap net in the most recent assessment. Despite frequent stocking in the past, walleye catch rates never exceeded the lake class first quartile of 1.0/gill net in any assessments since 1965. Walleye management was discontinued in 1997.
Other species sampled in this assessment included pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish and golden shiner.
What is the average air temp for Pughole Lake?
Are there any state parks near Pughole Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
Pughole Lake Reviews
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More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Pughole Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Doan Lake | 0.9 mi | 98 | 40 ft |
Lawrence Lake | 0.9 mi | 50 | 32 ft |
Long Lake | 1.2 mi | 46 | 47 ft |
Johnson Lake | 1.5 mi | 434 | 88 ft |
Lucky Lake | 1.5 mi | 14 | 44 ft |
Hill Lake | 1.6 mi | 46 | 32 ft |
Moore Lake | 1.7 mi | 97 | 60 ft |
Johnson Lake | 1.7 mi | 492 | 88 ft |
Johnson Lake | 1.7 mi | 492 | 88 ft |
Bluewater Lake | 1.7 mi | 364 | 120 ft |