Ensign Lake

How big is Ensign Lake?

How deep is Ensign Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Ensign Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Ensign Lake?

Ensign is a 1,408-acre lake located 23 miles northeast of Ely in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is a relatively productive walleye lake, comparable to Shagawa, Moose, and Disappointment in the Tower area. Ensign was thermally stratified on 09/11/2023. Surface temperature was 66.5 F, bottom temperature was 61.5 F, and oxygen sufficient for fish was present to 18 feet. Secchi depth was 9.5 feet and the lake had a light green tint. Maximum depth is 30 ft.

Fish sampling in 2023 consisted of 12 gill net sets. The total catch of 35.5 fish/net was in line with previous surveys. The fish population in Ensign was dominated by walleye, northern pike, white sucker, and cisco.

Walleye abundance (12.1/net) was above average for Ensign and similar Tower area lakes. Walleye sizes ranged from 9 to 30 inches with a mean of 14.5 inches. Growth was slightly above average and natural reproduction is consistent.

Northern pike abundance (3.7/net) was higher than average for ensign and good compared to similar area lakes. Pike sizes ranged from 15 to 34 inches with a mean of 21 inches. Previous surveys have captured large northern pike, and the abundant tullibee forage base provides an ample forage supply for trophy fish.

Cisco numbers (8.3/net) were identical to the previous survey and lower than the lake average. Cisco sizes ranged from 8 to nearly 17 inches with a mean just under 15 inches.

Smallmouth bass abundance (1.0/net) was the highest sampled in Ensign. Smallmouth sizes ranged from 8.5 to 18.5 inches with a mean of about 14 inches. Largemouth abundance (0.4/net) was also a new high. Largemouth sizes ranged from 9.5 to 15 inches with a mean of 13 inches. Although gill nets are not optimal for sampling bass this would suggest an increasing trend in abundance. Ensign has a reputation as a quality bass fishery.

Bluegill abundance (1.1/net) was notably higher than the previous survey. Bluegill sizes ranged from 7 to 8.5 inches with an average just under 8 inches. Gill nets often underrepresent panfish populations, and numbers of quality bluegill may be present.

What is the average air temp for Ensign Lake?