Canoe Lake
Cook County, MinnesotaLimited DataOligotrophic
Canoe Lake earns an A — every scored parameter (clarity) rates among the best monitored waters in Cook County.
A TSI value of 34 puts Canoe Lake in the oligotrophic range, where biological productivity stays low and the water column remains clear. The lake bottoms out at 40 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. At 96 acres, Canoe Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Within Cook County's 128 graded waters, Canoe Lake sits at rank 19, near the top of the local distribution.
Canoe Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2020, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery includes walleye among the lake's 4 documented species — a notable draw for Minnesota anglers. No formal public access is documented at Canoe Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2020-08-28. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 20.5 ft down. Trophic State Index: 34.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 20.5 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 34 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 40 ft |
| Surface Area | 96.41 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.4 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 57% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Canoe Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Canoe Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Canoe Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #19 of 128 lakes in Cook County
Nearby Lakes in Cook County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Canoe Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Minnesota
Oligotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1999-07-19 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Green Sunfish | 17.78 | 0.06 lb |
| White Sucker | 1.67 | 2.75 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 0.75 | 0.04 lb |
| Walleye | 0.33 | 1.98 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
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.
Green Sunfish
White Sucker
Yellow Perch
Walleye
From the 1999-07-19 survey
Canoe Lake is generally not known as a destination lake for BWCAW fishing trips, and the results of the 1999 survey bear this out. Catches for all species were below average for lakes of this class. Very few walleye were present, and no northern pike or smallmouth bass were taken (although they may have been present…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Canoe Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — CanoeFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
EPA Impairment Status
Canoe Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN16-0114-00 · Official waterbody report · Matched by proximity (1.81 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2020-08-28
Monitoring stations: 1