Cloquet Lake

How big is Cloquet Lake?

How deep is Cloquet Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Cloquet Lake?

Are there boat launches on Cloquet Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Cloquet Lake?

Cloquet Lake is located 11 miles west of Finland, MN in the Superior National Forest. The lake is used by a variety of recreational users including: anglers, hunters, trappers, and wild rice harvesters. Cloquet Lake is considered a moderately soft water lake with low fertility typical of northeast Minnesota. Water clarity is about 5 feet with brown, bog stained water. The shoreline is about half lowland bog with black spruce and half upland with a mixed forest of conifers, ash, birch and aspen. About 40% of the Shoreline along the south and southwest part of the lake is in private ownership. The rest of the shoreline is owned by US Forest Service. One cabin is present on the south shore. Bottom substrates are mainly muck and decaying organic matter with some sand and gravel and lesser amounts of rubble and boulder. The aquatic vegetation is very diverse with over 32 species identified including large beds of wild rice, horsetail, and common algae. Fish species present are Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, White Sucker, and some minnow species. Walleye have been stocked routinely since the early 1980s. Walleye fingerlings are currently stocked in two consecutive years out of every four at a rate of 136 pounds per stocking. Bluegill were introduced in 2000 but have not been sampled in any surveys. However, anglers have reported catching a few Bluegills. The 2015 assessment was part of a regularly scheduled investigation to gauge Walleye stocking efforts, to determine contribution from natural reproduction, and to see if goals were being met for the managed species.

The lake has a back in access (gravel) on the southeast end. The access is moderately sloped and the water off of the access is very shallow for a fair distance making it difficult to launch a larger boat. Wild rice densities and occasional low water levels can make outboard motor use extremely difficult on Cloquet Lake. However, during years of average to high water levels the lake can provide good angling, especially in the early spring and summer months. There is one campsite at the access and room for 4 or 5 vehicles. To get to the lake from Finland, drive 13 miles to the end of the Heffelfinger road then take a left onto USFS Rd. 102. Continue on USFS Rd. 102 for 4.4 miles to the access. The last 4.4 miles are rather narrow, bumpy and wet in spots. While it is possible to get to the access with most highway legal vehicles it is best suited to higher clearance vehicles such as pickup trucks or SUVs.

The 2015 Walleye catch rate was by far the lowest on record. However, the average weight of 3.7 pounds/fish was by far the highest on record. The largest fish sampled in all gear types in 2015 was 25 inches long and weighed 5.5 pounds. Growth appears fast by area standards. Based on age data, all fish captured came from stocked years. However, 18 young-of-the-year Walleye were captured so there is some natural reproduction.

Northern Pike catch in 2015 was the highest on record with an average weight of 1.0 pound/fish. The largest fish sampled was 36.3 inches long and weighed 13.3 pounds. A majority of Northern Pike captured were small (less than 21 inches long). However, five Northern Pike were over 29 inches long. Natural reproduction is very consistent and fish up to age-11 were sampled. Northern Pike growth is average for the Finland Area.

Yellow Perch catch rate and average weight was way above average compared to similar lakes in the Finland Area. Seventy percent of the catch was over nine inches long with the largest Yellow Perch measured 13.2 inches and weighed 1.1 pounds. Natural reproduction is very consistent with all year classes being present to age 11 plus one individual that was aged to 14 years old. Yellow Perch growth is faster than the Finland Area average.

White Sucker were sampled in low numbers with a mean weight of 1.8 pounds, which is average for lakes in the Finland Area. Other species sampled in quarter inch mesh trap nets were Blacknose Shiner, Common Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Northern Redbelly Dace.

Wild rice is considered an important component to wildlife and migrating waterfowl. Recently, Cloquet Lake has received more wild rice management attention in an effort to consistently produce an abundant crop for waterfowl. It is unclear how new management strategies will affect fisheries within Cloquet Lake. DNR fisheries will be closely monitoring fish populations within Cloquet Lake in an effort to try and determine any adverse or beneficial effects of this new emphasis on wild rice management.

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Are there any state parks near Cloquet Lake?