Wampus Lake

How big is Wampus Lake?

How deep is Wampus Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Wampus Lake?

Are there boat launches on Wampus Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Wampus Lake?

Wampus Lake is a small, shallow, undeveloped lake located near the mid-Gunflint Trail resort community and about 25 miles from the City of Grand Marais. The lake is one of only a few lakes in Cook County that has an extensive management history for panfish. During the 1990s and early 2000s Bluegill were stocked frequently, and Black Crappie were also stocked periodically over that time frame. The current (2013) lake management plan established Bluegill and Black Crappie as the primary and secondary management species in this lake. Long range goals for Bluegill are to maintain a minimum standard trap net catch of 4.0 fish/set, with some fish over seven inches present. The goal for the Black Crappie population is to maintain minimum standard trap net catch of 1.5 fish/set.

This was the last of three surveys scheduled in the 2013 LMP to determine whether continued stocking proposed in that plan could restore Bluegill and Black Crappie populations, and to monitor the Yellow Perch and Northern Pike populations. Only two of the three surveys planned for this management plan cycle were completed (2019 and 2022). Due to funding and staffing limitations, Bluegill stocking scheduled for 2014, 2017, and 2020 was not completed, and Black Crappie stocking planned for every third year was only accomplished in 2015.

The 2022 Bluegill standard trap net catch was the highest observed since 1979 and met the catch goal identified in the population. However, nearly all the Bluegill sampled were age-2 fish that averaged about four inches at the time of capture. The catch did include one nine-inch Bluegill, indicating the lake can produce the occasional high-quality Bluegill.

Black Crappie remained present in Wampus Lake in 2022, but the trap net catch fell below the goal for the population. Although the catch was low, a few large crappie were sampled. Only two year classes contributed to the sample (age-2 and age-8), both of which were the result of natural reproduction, since the 2015 stocking consisted only of adult fish. Results from 2019 and 2022 indicate more frequent supplementary stocking will likely be necessary to meet the current catch goal for the population.

Wampus Lake is one of the few lakes in Cook County that supports Largemouth Bass. The 2022 sample of Largemouth Bass included some quality sized fish that could draw some attention from anglers, or provide a bonus catch for those targeting panfish on this lake. Northern Pike were not sampled in 2022, which marked the second consecutive survey where the species was absent. Yellow Perch were absent from the gill net sample for the first time 1995, although fair numbers were sampled in standard trap nets and 0.25-inch-mesh trap nets.

Are there any state parks near Wampus Lake?