St. Mary's Lake

How big is St. Mary's Lake?

How deep is St. Mary's Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in St. Mary's Lake?

What are the closest cities to St. Mary's Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near St. Mary's Lake?

St. Mary's Lake is a 249-acre lake with a maximum depth of 44 feet located two miles south of Eveleth next to state highway 53 in central St. Louis County. There is no designated public access on the lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. St. Mary's Lake is in lake class 5. Other area lakes in the same lake class include Armstrong, Eagles Nest Lakes, Ely, Esquagama, and Pleasant Lakes. Lakes in this lake class are typically deep, and have soft, clear water. Private stocking of walleye was conducted in 2007 (fry) and 2009 (fingerling).

In 2011, walleye abundance was comparable to what you would find in class 5 lakes. Walleye ranged in length from 9.5 to 20.8 inches with a mean length and weight of 13.2 inches and 0.90 pound. The size structure of walleye was influenced by the 2009 stocking. Twenty-four of the 33 walleye sampled were from the 2009 year class. Walleye grew slowly. At age three, a typical St. Mary's walleye was 11.6 inches long.

Northern pike abundance was also typical of other class 5 lakes. Northern pike displayed excellent quality ranging from 21.6 inches to 35.8 inches with a mean length and weight of 28.4 inches and 5.6 pounds. There were reports of bigger pike being caught by anglers. Five year classes were identified. Growth was exceptional. At age three, a typical St. Mary's Lake pike was 24.8 inches long compared to the Tower area mean of 19 inches.

In 1986, bluegill reached their highest abundance but then declined somewhat in 2011. The 2011 abundance is still above what you would typically find in class 5 lakes. Bluegill was generally small ranging from 3.2 to 7.1 inches with only 1% greater than or equal to seven inches. Seven different year classes were identified with the 2006 year class (age five) composing 48% of the catch.

Black crappie is abundant in St. Mary's Lake, well above what you would typically find in class 5 lakes. Crappie ranged in length from 3.7 inches to 10.2 inches with a mean length and weight of 7.4 inches and 0.24 pound. Year classes 2004 through 2010 were all present in the catch indicating consistent recruitment. Growth was slightly below average. After four years of growth, a typical St. Mary's crappie was 6.0 inches long compared to the area mean of 6.6 inches.

In 2011, hybrid sunfish, a cross between bluegill and pumpkinseed, were abundant in St. Mary's Lake. Hybrid sunfish were generally bigger than bluegill averaging 6.3 inches long.

Largemouth bass was also abundant with 46 bass captured in 2011 assessment. Bass ranged in length from 4.7 inches to 15.1 inches. Seven different year classes were identified with no particularly strong year class. Growth was below average. After four years of growth, bass were 8 inches long compared to the area mean of 9.2 inches. Rock bass and pumpkinseed were two other members of the sunfish family that were caught in low numbers.

Other species sampled in 2011 include yellow perch, white sucker, and cisco (tullibee).

St. Mary's 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. Eleven different species were identified. Johnny darter, blacknose shiner, golden shiner, and brook stickleback were non-game species sampled. Bluegill, largemouth bass, rock bass, and yellow perch young-of-year were also sampled.

What is the average air temp for St. Mary's Lake?

Are there any state parks near St. Mary's Lake?