Boot Lake

How big is Boot Lake?

How deep is Boot Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Boot Lake?

What are the closest cities to Boot Lake?

Are there boat launches on Boot Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Boot Lake?

Boot Lake is located in northeastern Becker County, six miles northwest of Two Inlets. Boot Lake is a narrow, deep-water lake with a surface area of 378 acres and a maximum depth of 109 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the north shore of the lake. Boot Lake is best known for its Walleye population, but also provides angling opportunities for Northern Pike.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Boot Lake is in lake class 23. Class 23 lakes are generally deep, very clear, have hard water and are irregularly shaped. Other class 23 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include Benedict, Big Bass, Blue, East Crooked, Eleventh Crow Wing, and Spearhead.

Walleye abundance in Boot has remained stable the past several surveys with catch rates at the high end for this lake class. Walleye sampled had an average length of 16.8 inches, weighed 1.8 pounds, and measured up to 25.2 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage for Walleye were small in size and sampled in low numbers.

Northern Pike were sampled in high numbers for this lake class. Northern Pike abundance in past surveys has fluctuated from moderate to high numbers. Anglers will find the Northern Pike population dominated by small, "hammer handle" pike averaging 18.3 inches in length and 1.3 pounds. The Northern Pike population in Boot is limited by high reproduction and recruitment of young pike and slow growth rates. Past surveys have sampled very few larger Northern Pike.

Boot Lake is not really known as a Bass - Panfish lake because of its limited shallow water habitat and productivity. However, Boot Lake supports moderate numbers of Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass, and low numbers of Black Crappie. Bluegill sampled were small in size, with an average length of 5.2 inches and very few over 7.0 inches. Bluegill growth rates are slow in Boot Lake. Past and present surveys have shown the Black Crappie population to fluctuate from low to moderate numbers. Largemouth Bass have been sampled in low to moderate numbers in past surveys.

Currently no Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) have been identified in Boot Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

What is the average air temp for Boot Lake?

Are there any state parks near Boot Lake?