Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 11, 2005
Aerie Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Aerie Lake average 2.88 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 4 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 11, 2005. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–38 inches. In St. Louis County, Minnesota, Aerie Lake has no letter grade — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Water clarity averages 9.5 feet of visibility. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Stocking at Aerie Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Aerie Lake average 2.88 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 4 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 11, 2005. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–38 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Aerie Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
4 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2005-07-11 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 12.07 | 0.15 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 5.39 | 0.11 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.88 | 2.16 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 1.67 | 0.99 lb |
| Black Crappie | 1.57 | 0.4 lb |
| White Sucker | 1.47 | 3.6 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Black Crappie
From the 2005-07-11 survey
Aerie Lake is a 139 acre lake located near Alborn, Minnesota with 69% (96.6 acres) littoral area and a maximum depth of 37 feet. The public access on Aerie Lake is undeveloped and does not allow easy access to the lake. Largemouth bass and bluegill are the primary fish species. The Aerie Lake Property Owners…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Aerie Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — AerieFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Aerie (1872)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — AerieFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Aerie Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Aerie Lake average 2.88 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 4 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 11, 2005. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 9–38 inches. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Aerie Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Aerie Lake is dated July 11, 2005. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Aerie Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Aerie Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Aerie Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Aerie Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Aerie Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Aerie Lake
Planning a trip to Aerie Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Aerie Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.