Joseph Lake

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What kind of fish can you catch in Joseph Lake?

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Are there boat launches on Joseph Lake?

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Joseph Lake is located five miles northwest of Babbit in central St. Louis County. There is a county designated forest access road to the public access on the northeast corner of the lake. After December 1st, only snowmobiles can use the access road. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Joseph Lake is in lake class 13. Other area lakes in the same lake class include Whisper, Buck, Madden, and Little Lakes. Lakes in this lake class are small, shallow, and have high amounts of area less than 15 feet deep. Joseph Lake is stocked by the DNR with walleye fry every third year.

In 2011, walleye abundance was typical of other lakes in the same lake class. Upon aging walleye, it was found that 17 of 20 sampled walleye were from the 2009 year class, a stocked year. Walleye ranged in length from 13.7 inches to 27.9 inches with a mean length and weight of 15.8 inches and 1.5 pounds. Growth was above average. At age two, Joseph walleye averaged a full inch longer than walleye from other lakes in the same lake class.

Northern pike abundance dropped dramatically from the last survey in 2001. With the exception of 2011, there had been an upward trend in abundance since 1966 assessment. The three northern pike sampled in 2011 were 20.2, 20.7, and 28.9 inches long.

White sucker abundance was down from 2001 findings. The 2011 mean length of 18.4 inches was up from 2001 (11.8 inches).

Bluegill abundance increased dramatically from 2001 and was well above what is typically found in other lakes in the same lake class. Bluegill ranged in length from 3.6 inches to 8.9 inches with a mean length and weight of 6.9 inches and 0.3 pound. Bluegill were age 2 to 10 with age 5 (2006) composing 41% of the catch and age six (2005), 31%. Bluegill growth was average. With firm substrate and adequate amounts submerged plants around most of the lake, Joseph Lake appears to have suitable habitat for spawning bluegill.

Nine largemouth bass were captured that ranged in length from 4.8 to 15.3 inches and were composed of four different year classes.

Joseph Lake was selected for fish index of biotic integrity (IBI) sampling. This index is designed to help determine the overall health of the biological fish community of the lake. This type of sampling will typically capture the non-game species and young-of-year game species. Ten different species were identified. Iowa darter, golden shiner, blacknose shiner, and northern redbelly dace were non-game species sampled.

Anglers should practice selective harvest when fishing. By keeping the medium-sized fish and releasing the larger fish, a quality size structure can be maintained and even improved. "Releasing fish will grow on you."

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Are there any state parks near Joseph Lake?