Parent Lake

How big is Parent Lake?

How deep is Parent Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Parent Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Parent Lake?

Parent Lake is located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) within the Superior National Forest and is a non-motorized lake. It is approximately 21 miles east of Ely and just south of Snowbank Lake. Access to the lake consists of an 80 rod portage from Snowbank Lake or an 85 rod portage from Disappointment Lake. One small inlet comes in on the northeast corner and the lone exit flows out the southwest corner to Snowbank Lake. Parent is 451 acres with a maximum depth of 52 feet and clear water. BWCAW permits are required to visit Parent through an official entry point and there are two U. S. Forest Service maintained campsites, both located on the north side of the lake.

On September 16, 2019 Parent Lake was thermally stratified with a surface temperature of 62 F and a bottom temperature of 45 F. Oxygen levels were adequate for gamefish to a depth of 35 feet where the water temperature was 47 F. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are mostly boulder with very little aquatic vegetation.

The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 27.0 fish/net which was higher than average compared to past surveys on the lake. Yield was 22.4 lbs/net which was below average compared to past surveys on the lake. Fish species sampled were cisco, white sucker, rock bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch.

Twelve northern pike were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 1.3 fish/net. One silver pike was included in the catch. Silver pike are northern pike with an uncommom color variation. Since silver phase northern pike are found in surrounding lakes including Snowbank and Disappointment, it's not surprising that one was also captured in Parent. The catch rate was low compared to other similar lakes, but above average compared to past surveys on Parent. Lengths ranged from 20 to over 40 inches with an average of 30 inches. The average weight was nearly 7 pounds which was well above average compared to other similar lakes. Size distribution was good with all but two of the fish over 28 inches. The only silver pike sampled was also fairly large at just over 35 inches.

Twenty-two smallmouth bass were captured in gill nets for a catch rate of 2.4 fish/net. This was high compared to other similar lakes and above average compared to past surveys on Parent. Lengths ranged from 7 to nearly 19 inches with an average of just over 12 inches. Growth rates were extremely slow with an average smallmouth taking 9 years to approach 12 inches. Ages ranged from 3 to 16 years old.

Despite fry stocking efforts in 2016 and 2018, only two walleye were caught in the gill nets in 2019, and neither was from these stocking events. Both fish were around 26 inches long.

One hundred forty-seven cisco were caught in gill nets for a catch rate of 16.3 fish/net. This was high compared to past surveys on the lake as well as other lakes in the Tower area. Sizes were very similar to past surveys ranging from 7.5 to 11 inches with an average of 9 inches. These cisco are important forage for northern pike and likely contribute to their attaining large size.

Yellow perch, rock bass, and white sucker were also sampled. Their catch rates and sizes were similar to previous surveys.

What is the average air temp for Parent Lake?