Newfound Lake

How big is Newfound Lake?

How deep is Newfound Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Newfound Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Newfound Lake?

Newfound Lake is a 604-acre lake with a maximum depth of 45 feet located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in northeastern St. Louis County. It is on the most heavily traveled route into the BWCAW. The United States Forest Service (USFS) maintains 14 primitive campsites on the lake. Access to Newfound Lake is via Moose Lake to south or Sucker Lake to the north. Both routes are navigable by boat and canoe. There is a 25 horsepower maximum motor restriction on the lake. Permits from the USFS are required and numbers are limited by quota. Snowmobiles are not allowed into this area.

The fish community of Newfound Lake is dominated by walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white sucker, and cisco. Like adjacent Moose Lake, bluegill are becoming more abundant in Newfound Lake. The lake is primarily managed for walleye.

Walleye abundance has been quite consistent over the past twenty years and is typical of other lakes in the BWCAW. The 2010 investigation indicates that anglers can expect to catch walleye from 10 to 30 inches in length with good numbers in the 13-16 inch range. Eleven different year classes were identified and were the result of natural reproduction. Although Newfound Lake is managed primarily for walleye, it has a variety of other species that may interest anglers. Northern pike abundance is typical of other BWCAW lakes and ranged from 17 to 38 inches in length with an average of 25 inches. The catch consisted of six different year classes. Smallmouth bass abundance was also typical of other area lakes, and fish up 19 inches have been sampled by DNR personnel.

Both white sucker and cisco are abundant in Newfound Lake and provide forage for walleye and northern pike.

Bluegill are increasing in Newfound Lake and were sampled in 2010 at a rate that was above what you would typically find in BWCAW lakes. Bluegill up to eight inches in length were sampled. On average, it takes eight years for a bluegill to attain a length of eight inches in Newfound Lake.

Rusty crayfish and Clearwater crayfish are both non-native species present in Newfound Lake. Their presence in Newfound Lake and adjoining lakes was probably due to accidental introductions by anglers. It is unlawful to harvest and transport crayfish.

What is the average air temp for Newfound Lake?