Namakan Lake
St. Louis County, Minnesota
Namakan Lake is part of the Voyageurs National Park, which offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The lake is accessible by boat only, which allows visitors to experience the lake and surrounding wilderness in a peaceful and natural setting.
The lake is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and lake trout. The park is managed as a catch-and-release fishery, which helps to maintain healthy populations of fish and preserve the natural beauty of the lake.
In addition to fishing, Namakan Lake is a popular destination for boating and water sports, with several public boat launches and marinas around the lake. The lake is also home to several public beaches and picnic areas, as well as several campgrounds and cabins for overnight stays.
The surrounding wilderness offers opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, black bears, wolves, and bald eagles.
Overall, Namakan Lake is a beautiful and popular destination for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of northern Minnesota, particularly for those who enjoy fishing and boating.
Explore Kabetogama Lake
The name Kabetogama has many translations. One of our favorites is ?the lake that lies alongside another? (Rainy Lake). In the Ojibwe language, Kabe means ?all? and Ogema means ?chief.? At the Kabetogama Lake Resorts, we think perhaps it simply means God?s Country.
Don?t worry if you can?t pronounce it (cab-uh-toe-ga-muh) or spell it. Just call it ?Kab,? and you?ll sound like a local.
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We want to see what you've caught on Namakan Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Namakan Lake, MN
- How big is Namakan Lake?
- How deep is Namakan Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Namakan Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Namakan Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Namakan Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Namakan Lake?
- What are the fishing regulations for Namakan Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Namakan Lake?
How big is Namakan Lake?
How deep is Namakan Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Namakan Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Cisco (Tullibee), Common Shiner, Golden Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Lake Whitefish, Mottled Sculpin, Rainbow Smelt, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Lamprey, Silver Redhorse, Slimy Sculpin, Spottail Shiner, Trout-Perch and White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Namakan Lake area?
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Are there topographical lake maps available Namakan Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Namakan Lake?
What are the fishing regulations for Namakan Lake?
There are specific fishing regulations Namakan 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?
Explore the Namakan Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
What aquatic invasive species are found in Namakan Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
Namakan Lake is a class 2 lake located on the Minnesota-Ontario border within Voyageurs National Park (VNP). The total surface area is 24,066 acres of which 49% or 11,755 acres lie within Minnesota. Namakan Lake is typical of lakes within the Canadian Shield with soft, oligotrophic water and intermediate productivity. The mean depth is 45 feet, with a maximum-recorded depth of 150 feet. Only 20% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep (littoral zone), although its shoreline stretches for more than 146 miles. Namakan Lake is part of the Namakan Reservoir, which also includes Kabetogama, Sand Point, Crane, and Little Vermilion lakes. Namakan Lake has road access on the Canadian side (Namakan River via Flanders Road), but access on the Minnesota side is by water only. A mechanical portage from Rainy Lake is available at Kettle Falls. The nearest road access on the Minnesota side is located on the east end of Kabetogama Lake at Voyageurs National Park's Ash River Visitor Center. Namakan has been sampled annually since 1983.
Current fishing regulations on Namakan Lake follow the border waters (Canada-Minnesota) regulations. For Walleye and Sauger, the limit is six (not more than four can be Walleye), Walleye from 18"-26" must be immediately released, and only one Walleye over 26" allowed in possession limit.
Walleye gill-net catch rate was 5.8 fish per net which is below average for similar lakes. The catch rate is below the management goal of 6.3 fish per net for Namakan Lake, but within the range of normal. Total length ranged from 6.9 to 27.1 inches and mean length was 13.6 inches. Mean weight was 1.1 pounds which is above average for similar class lakes. A total of 12 year classes were present and ages ranged from 1 to 16 years. Overall, there are good numbers of Walleyes in Namakan Lake, with the chance to catch Walleye over 26 inches. Namakan Lake offers a good Walleye fishing opportunity.
Northern Pike gill-net catch rate was 3.1 fish per net, well above average for similar lakes. Total length ranged from 13.4 to 40.9 inches and the mean length was 24.0 inches. The mean weight was 3.6 pounds which is average for similar lakes. A total of 10 year classes were present, and ages ranged from 1 to 10. Northern Pike have had strong year classes since 2010. Namakan Lake offers a low-density Northern Pike population, but an excellent opportunity to catch a trophy fish.
Sauger gill-net catch rate was 2.1 fish per net which is below average for similar lakes. Total length ranged from 8.1 to 13.5 inches and the mean length was 10.4 inches. Mean weight was 0.3 pounds which is well below average for similar class lakes. A total of eight year classes were present, and ages ranged from 2 to 12. The 2015 and 2019-year classes are strong year class compared to recent years. Sauger provides additional harvest opportunity for anglers.
Yellow Perch gill-net catch rate was 8.9 fish per net which is above average for similar lakes. Total length ranged from 5.2 to 10.6 inches and the mean length was 6.8 inches. The mean weight of 0.2 pounds was average for similar lakes. A total of six year classes were present in the sample and ages ranged from 2 to 7 years. Yellow Perch offer an additional fishing opportunity and forage for Walleye and Northern Pike.
Smallmouth Bass gill-net catch rate was 1.0 fish per net, above average for similar lakes. Total length ranged from 9.0 to 16.5 inches and the mean length was 12.8 inches. The mean weight of 1.2 pounds was above average for similar lakes. A total of five years classes were present in the sample and ages ranged from 3 to 8 years. There are decent numbers of Smallmouth Bass in Namakan Lake, with the opportunity to catch a quality fish.
Black Crappie gill-net catch rate was 0.4 fish per net which is average for similar lakes. Total lengths ranged from 6.4 to 10.6 inches, and the mean length was 8.8 inches. The mean weight of 0.4 pounds was average for similar lakes. A total of two year classes were present, and ages ranged from 2 to 3 years. Black Crappie offer an additional fishing opportunity in Namakan Lake.
What is the average air temp for Namakan Lake?
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