Mesaba Lake

How big is Mesaba Lake?

How deep is Mesaba Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Mesaba Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Mesaba Lake?

Mesaba Lake is located 28 miles north of Schroeder, is entirely within the BWCAW, and has an area of 213 acres with a maximum depth of 65 feet. There are three portage trails that access the lake. The lake is about seven miles into the BWCAW and requires several arduous portages to get there. The lake is managed for Lake Trout and Northern Pike. Lake Trout were first stocked into the lake in 1977, and again in 2000, 2001, and 2002 in an attempt to create a self-sustaining population.

The 2022 Lake Trout catch of 8/lift exceeded the normal range for the type of lake. The average weight was near three pounds, which is in the normal range for similar lakes. Fish ranged from 9 to 26.3 inches long, which confirmed that there are multiple years of naturally reproduced fish in the lake. One fish that was 25.4 inches long was identified as being stocked in 2002.

One Northern Pike was sampled that was 26.6 inches long and weighed nearly four pounds. The only net that sampled a Northern Pike was set in water no deeper than 15 feet. All other nets were set in deeper water targeting Lake Trout habitat and would be expected to have low catch.

White Sucker were sampled in above average numbers, with average weight of 1.8 pounds. Green Sunfish were also sampled.

The results suggest that the Lake Trout are reproducing and maintaining a population that can provide angler harvest. While Northern Pike are present, their numbers appear to be low, but can provide an additional option for anglers.