Today's Best Fishing Times
Get the best fishing times for Birch Lake with Lake-Link's Fishing Forecast. SEE MORE
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Birch Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birch Lake, MN
- How big is Birch Lake?
- How deep is Birch Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Birch Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Birch Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Birch Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Birch Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Birch Lake?
How big is Birch Lake?
How deep is Birch Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Birch Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Cisco (Tullibee), Hybrid Sunfish, Lake Whitefish, Shorthead Redhorse and White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Birch Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Birch Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Birch Lake?
Explore the Birch Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
Adventure Awaits in the 2021 Heartland Mallard Pathfinder P16SRD
Hermantown, MN
History & Status of the Fishery
Birch Lake is a 711-acre lake with a maximum depth of 34 feet located on the Canadian/U.S. border. The Canadian portion of the lake is in Quetico Provincial Park and the U.S. portion of the lake is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). It is on one of the most heavily traveled routes in the BWCAW. The entire lake is a non-motorized area. The BWCAW is administered by the United States Forest Service (USFS). Access to Birch Lake is by canoe from Sucker Lake or by portage from Sucker and Carp Lakes. Over-night permits from the USFS are required and numbers are limited by quota. Day use permits are required year-round and numbers are not limited by quotas.
The fish community of Birch Lake is dominated by walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white sucker, and cisco. The lake has been primarily managed by MNDNR for walleye. Birch Lake, along with 40 other northeastern Minnesota lakes, is in ecological lake class 7. Typically, these lakes are large in size (average = 1807 acres), have soft water, and are irregular in shape.
Walleye abundance on Birch Lake has been quite consistent over the past twenty years and is typical of lakes in the BWCAW. Based on the 2010 population assessment, anglers can expect to catch walleye from 10 to 23 inches in length with an average size of about 16 inches. Five different year classes were identified in the 2010 sample; all resulting from natural reproduction. Although Birch Lake is managed primarily for walleye, it has a variety of other species of interest to anglers. Northern pike abundance was typical of other BWCAW lakes. Lengths ranged from 17 to 42 inches with an average of 26 inches. The 2010 pike catch consisted of eight different year classes. Smallmouth bass abundance is also typical of other BWCAW lakes, and fish up 16 inches have been sampled by DNR personnel.
Both white sucker and cisco are present in good numbers in Birch Lake and provide good forage for predator fish.
Rusty crayfish and Clearwater crayfish are both non-native that now exist in Birch Lake. Their introduction into Birch Lake and adjoining lakes was probably accidental by anglers using them as bait. It is unlawful to harvest and transport crayfish.
What is the average air temp for Birch Lake?
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Birch Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Frog Lake | 1.3 mi | 53 | 38 ft |
| Trident Lake | 1.6 mi | 93 | 14 ft |
| Ensign Lake | 2.1 mi | 1,411 | 30 ft |
| Splash Lake | 2.1 mi | 92 | 18 ft |
| Sucker Lake | 2.1 mi | 393 | 31 ft |
| Grub Lake | 3.1 mi | 31 | 31 ft |
| Vera Lake | 3.5 mi | 250 | 55 ft |
| Boot Lake | 3.5 mi | 197 | 83 ft |
| Haven Lake | 3.6 mi | 14 | 7 ft |
| Ashigan Lake | 3.7 mi | 153 | 59 ft |
