Dunnigan Lake

How big is Dunnigan Lake?

How deep is Dunnigan Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Dunnigan Lake?

Are there boat launches on Dunnigan Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Dunnigan Lake?

Dunnigan Lake is located 12 miles west and six miles north of Isabella in the Superior National Forest. The lake is 81 acres with a maximum depth of 14 feet. On August 3, 2015 the lake had a water-clarity reading of 8.5 feet in very light green stained water. The shoreline is in 100% public ownership (US Forest Service and a very small portion of State) and in a wild state with predominantly red, white and jack pine and occasional aspen and birch. Bottom substrate is mostly rubble, boulder, muck, and decaying organic matter, with small occasional areas of gravel and sand. Aquatic vegetation is sparse on the lake with white water lily being the most common species. Fish species present are Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Rock Bass. White Suckers and Iowa Darters have been sampled occasionally in the past but always in very low numbers. Walleye fingerlings are stocked two consecutive years followed by two un-stocked years, a stocking regime that is used to better understand the contribution from natural reproduction.

The lake is located just east of Hwy 1 a half mile south of the New Tomahawk road near the Slate Lake/Stony River crossing. A "Dunnigan Lake" sign is present along Hwy 1 at the start of the 600 foot road that leads to USFS maintained gravel back in access. The ramp to the lake is steep and there is little room to turn a trailer around. The access is best suited to light carry in boats or canoes. Boats on a trailer need to be light enough to disconnect and moved by hand to the water's edge, then reconnected to a vehicle. A person choosing this method needs to be very mindful of the steepness of the ramp. There is sufficient parking for two vehicles at the top of the hill.

The Walleye catch rate in 2015 was average compared similar lakes in the Finland area. However, the average weight for sampled Walleyes was above average. Stocking appears to be an important contributor to the population as 75% of the catch was from years that were stocked. However, natural reproduction does occur as seven year classes were present in the catch from age-1 to age-7 with one additional very large fish (29 inches and 8.5 pounds) whose age was estimated at 13 years. The 2012 year class, a stocked year was by far the strongest year class and represented about half of the catch. Growth is faster than average compared to other Finland Area lakes.

Smallmouth Bass gill net catch was average in numbers but below average in weight compared to similar lakes in the area. Population is maintained through natural reproduction and six year classes were present between age-1 and age-6 along with two fish over 16 inches long aged at 10 and 12 years. The 2012 year class was the strongest year class representing a third of the total catch. Growth is faster than average compared to other Finland Area lakes.

Bluegill numbers were low and average size was small. Based on a small sample, growth appears to be slower than average compared to other Finland Area lakes. Rock Bass are present in average numbers and size for lakes in the Finland Area.

What is the average air temp for Dunnigan Lake?

Are there any state parks near Dunnigan Lake?