Caribou Lake
Itasca County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 3-5 PM. SEE MORE
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We want to see what you've caught on Caribou Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Caribou Lake, MN
- How big is Caribou Lake?
- How deep is Caribou Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Caribou Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Caribou Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Caribou Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Caribou Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Caribou Lake?
- What are the fishing regulations for Caribou Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Caribou Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Caribou Lake?
How big is Caribou Lake?
How deep is Caribou Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Caribou Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Common Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish and White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Caribou Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Caribou Lake?
Are there boat launches on Caribou Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Caribou Lake?
What are the fishing regulations for Caribou Lake?
There are specific fishing regulations Caribou Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?
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Bemidji, MN
History & Status of the Fishery
Caribou Lake is located about six miles south of Marcell and in the Chippewa National Forest. Fish production is limited due to low fertility associated with oligotrophic conditions. Caribou Lake has a long history of trout management and has been primarily managed for Lake Trout since 1942. Management has consisted mainly of numerous stockings. Most stocked fish were given a specific fin clip to help differentiate between stocked fish and natural reproduction since 1990. Stocking was discontinued after 2017 due to poor returns from stocking and because natural reproduction appeared capable of maintaining the fishery.
The 2016 lake management plan (LMP) lists Lake Trout as a primary management species, with a deep-water gill net goal of 3.0/net. Because quality size Smallmouth Bass have been sampled in most surveys, the plan includes a goal of maintaining the presence of Smallmouth Bass greater than 17 inches. The 2022 targeted survey was conducted to evaluate the status of the Lake Trout population as well as to collect additional pre-regulation data. An experimental Lake Trout regulation will be implemented in the spring, 2023. Lake Trout will have a minimum harvest size limit of 20 inches with a one fish bag limit.
Lake Trout are seldom abundant due to the nature of the cold, infertile lakes they inhabit. They often occupy deep, open water area difficult to sample, so low catch rates are not uncommon. Catches in deep-water gill nets have ranged from 1.0 to 4.8/net since 1987. The 2022 catch of 3.3/net attained the management plan goal. No fin clipped fish were sampled. Trout ranged from 7.9 to 32.6 inches with an average length of 17.4 inches in deep-water gill nets. The wide range of lengths suggests recruitment has been consistent. The lack of fin clips indicated these fish originated from natural reproduction.
Past surveys suggest Yellow Perch, especially their early life stages, are an important prey species for Lake Trout in Caribou Lake. Perch were sampled at a rate of 4.3/net in deep-water gill nets. Catches in deep-water gill nets have ranged from 0 to 5.4/net but have averaged about two per net. Lengths ranged from 6.5 to 12.2 inches with an average length of 8.4 inches, suggesting a modest size distribution.
Catches in deep-water gill nets tend to be low and may not reflect the numbers of other species. Three gill nets were set above the thermocline at depths more suitable for cool-water species. Smallmouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 6.0/net, well above catches for comparable lakes yet similar to the previous survey (5.7/net). Lengths ranged from 6.1 to 16.7 inches with an average length of 12.1 inches. A few fish from the shallower gill nets were near 17 inches and one from the deep-water gill nets exceeded 17 inches so the LMP goal was met.
Lake Trout were also sampled in the shallower gill nets at a rate of 1.7/net, suggesting they are utilizing the entire available habitat. The five sampled fish ranged from 16.2 to 32.5 inches.
Other species sampled include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Perch. The species composition was the same between gear types.
What is the average air temp for Caribou Lake?
Are there any state parks near Caribou Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Caribou Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Little Dead Horse Lake | 0.7 mi | 79 | 30 ft |
| Butterfinger Lake | 0.7 mi | 20 | |
| Northome Lake | 1.1 mi | 10 | |
| Duck Lake | 1.1 mi | 29 | 15 ft |
| Smith Lake | 1.1 mi | 1,040 | |
| Boy Lake | 1.2 mi | 43 | 42 ft |
| Linden Lake | 1.3 mi | 20 | |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.5 mi | 10 | |
| West Smith Lake | 1.5 mi | 34 | 28 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 1.5 mi | 1,040 |
