Lax Lake

How big is Lax Lake?

How deep is Lax Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lax Lake?

Are there boat launches on Lax Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lax Lake?

Lax Lake is a 295 acre body of water located approximately 5 miles south-southwest of Finland MN. The public access off of Lake County Rd. #408 (Lax Lake Road), on the north end of the lake, has a concrete ramp and room for about eight vehicles with trailers in the parking lot. There is also a handicap accessible fishing pier with a small picnic area and separate parking lot. One resort is located on the lake.

Walleye were sampled in below average numbers for northeastern Minnesota lakes with similar characteristics, and the lowest numbers seen within the past twenty years. The average size of Walleye was 2.21 pounds (17.6 inches) in 2014; the largest Walleye sampled measured was 25.8 inches. The strongest year classes of Walleyes came from 2012, 2009 and 2008; all which correlate to fingerling stockings. Contributions to the population from natural reproduction appear to have been poor in recent years. At the time of the 2014 investigation Lax Lake was stocked with Walleye fingerlings on a two consecutive years out of every four years frequency (this frequency began in 2004). The stocking frequency will be changed to an annual stocking of Walleye fingerlings starting the fall of 2015.

The 2014 assessment was the third consecutive investigation where Northern Pike were sampled in above average numbers for the lake class. The average size of 2.56 pounds (21 inches) was near average for the lake class and within the range seen in previous investigations on Lax Lake. Only twenty-three percent of the catch was over 24 inches; the previous two investigations had at a greater percentage of fish over 30 inches; although the largest Northern Pike sampled in 2014 measured 39 inches. A small percentage of the Northern Pike have Neascus (black spot parasite). These parasites are small and produce black pigmentation that resembles black pepper sprinkled on fins or flesh (fillets) of fish. However, although unsightly, the fillet is safe to eat if it is well cooked.

Largemouth Bass gill net catch was above average for the lake class, the mean weight of the catch was 2.12 pounds, also above average (1.40 pounds). Three separate special assessments using electrofishing for Largemouth Bass have been completed on Lax Lake (2010, 2013 and 2014). Although the catch rate of Largemouth Bass for each assessment has remained similar, the average length of fish has increased (from 11 inches to 14 inches) and maximum length of fish has remained around 19 inches.

Lax Lake Black Crappie reproduction is sporadic which leads to the boom and bust Black Crappie population of Lax Lake. In all five year classes of Black Crappie were sampled; the 2010 year class by far was the strongest year class representing 68% of the total catch. Black Crappie numbers and size were above average for the lake class, but grow rates were below average. The mean length was 8.6 inches and the largest fish sampled was seven-years old and measured 10.8 inches.

Bluegills were sampled at above average numbers and exhibit slower than average growth in Lax Lake compared to lakes in northeastern Minnesota with similar characteristics. The average length of the trap net catch was 5.3 inches (0.13 pound). Ten year classes of Bluegill were found with the 2010 and 2006 year classes each representing 25% of the sample. The largest Bluegill sampled measured 9 inches. Many of the Bluegill in Lax Lake also had small to moderate amount of Neascus (black spot parasite).

White sucker were sampled at slightly below average numbers and above average size for the lake class. Low numbers of Pumpkinseed Sunfish and Hybrid Sunfish (Bluegill x Pumpkinseed) were also sampled.

What is the average air temp for Lax Lake?

Are there any state parks near Lax Lake?