Northern Light Lake

How big is Northern Light Lake?

How deep is Northern Light Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Northern Light Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Northern Light Lake?

Northern Light Lake is a medium-sized, very shallow lake lying on the Brule River, in the Lake Superior North watershed. For many decades a log dam at its outlet maintained a slightly elevated water level; however, in 2009 that dam was found to have been partially washed out. Northern Light Lake has been managed primarily for Walleye and Northern Pike, although it has also supported Smallmouth Bass and Yellow Perch fisheries. The current (2019) lake management plan (LMP) established a long range goal for Walleye consisting of a minimum gill net catch of 4.0 fish/net, with some fish over 20 inches. The long range goal for Northern Pike established in that plan was also a minimum gill net catch of 4.0 fish/net, with some fish over 25 inches. No goals were established for Smallmouth Bass or Yellow Perch. This was the first of two standard surveys scheduled in the 2019 LMP to determine whether goals for Walleye and Northern Pike could be met without any management intervention, and to determine whether replacement of the dam was needed to maintain fisheries in this lake.

Walleye were apparently fairly abundant in 2021, and for the most part were above-average in size. The catch fell within the normal range for a lake of this type, and was similar to most catches seen in the past on this lake. Walleye taken in gill nets in 2021 ranged in length from 9.6 to 24.1 inches, with most over 16 inches in length. Twelve year classes (fish 2 to 20 years of age) contributed to the catch. All had been naturally produced, although only the 2016 year class appeared to have been strong. Growth had been about average for the area; fish reached a mean length of 15.4 inches at the end of their fifth year, compared to an area average of 15.5 inches.

Northern Pike were abundant in 2021, and some larger fish were present. The gill net catch was above the normal range for a lake of this type, and was one of the higher catches seen in this lake historically. Northern Pike collected in 2021 ranged in length from 11.0 to 38.0 inches, with several fish larger than 25 inches included in the catch. No Northern Pike were aged in this survey, but it was clear from their lengths that several natural year classes had contributed to the catch.

Smallmouth Bass also appeared to have been abundant in 2021, and many larger fish were seen. The gill net catch was within the normal range for this type of lake, but was the highest seen in this lake, historically. Bass taken in gill nets ranged in length from 5.8 to 19.8 inches, with most over 15 inches in length.

Yellow Perch were apparently abundant, but small, in 2021. The gill net catch was above-normal for the lake type, but not for this lake, where high perch numbers have been common. Only about eight percent of Yellow Perch taken in this survey were over eight inches in length. Although hardly satisfying to perch anglers, the population seen in 2021 would have provided an excellent forage base for Walleye and Northern Pike.

Gill nets are not the preferred sampling gear for sunfish. However, the 2021 Pumpkinseed catch seemed quite high, and some of those fish would have been large enough to have been of interest to anglers.

Water levels in Northern Light Lake were unusually low in 2021, due to a local, and fairly severe, drought and probably due as well to the loss of the dam. Nevertheless, the lake continued to support fish populations capable of meeting management goals and driving high-quality fisheries. Unfortunately, at low water levels travel from the public access on the Brule River down to the lake can be very difficult, if not impossible, for motorized craft due to rocks and shoals, and heavy vegetation. Travel upstream back to the access is even more difficult. Our survey crew could only reach the lake by canoe in 2021, and so was not able to use the trap nets that would normally have been a part of any survey of this lake. Anglers wishing to try this lake should probably do so in the spring, when travel down the river is easier, or plan on bringing a canoe.

Are there any state parks near Northern Light Lake?