Finger Lake

How big is Finger Lake?

How deep is Finger Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Finger Lake?

Are there boat launches on Finger Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Finger Lake?

Finger Lake is in western Cook County approximately ten miles north of Tofte. There is a public access with earthen boat ramp on the Cross River just downstream from the lake. The access is on a private driveway that has an easement that provides public access to the water. This access is located at the end of a Forest Service spur that extends to the west from Forest Service Road 347. Space for parking and turning vehicles is limited and users must not block the driveway to ensure access for the landowner and the public. There is one campsite and a portage trail to Elbow Lake maintained by the Forest Service as part of the Timber-Frear Canoe Route. Walleye are the primary management species and regular fry stocking has occurred for several decades to supplement the population, although natural reproduction does occur. Black Crappie were first sampled in 2011 and have since established a fishable population.

A standard fisheries survey was completed in July of 2023 to monitor the fish community and evaluate stocking. The Walleye catch rate was within the normal range for similar lakes in gill nets and slightly above the normal range in trap nets. The combined catch included Walleye from about 7 to 23" long with an average size of 15.3" and 1.45 pounds. Walleye ranged from age-1 to age-16 with few missing year classes. Stocked year classes accounted for just 35.5% of the catch suggesting stocking may not be needed to maintain the population.

Black Crappie catch was the highest to date from standard summer surveys. Size ranged from 5.5 to 13" long and fish ranged from age-2 to age-5. These results indicate some recruitment has occurred in recent years suggesting a self-sustaining population has been established. Targeted spring trap netting was also completed in June 2023 and more information about the Black Crappie population can be found in that report.

Northern Pike provide additional angling opportunities and have historically been sampled in low numbers in standard fisheries surveys. The 2023 catch was similar to previous surveys of the lake and within the normal range for this type of lake. Size of pike is generally small, although individual fish will occasionally grow larger.

Are there any state parks near Finger Lake?