Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest August 15, 2016
Cole Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Cole Lake average 13.12 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 15, 2016. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–19 inches. In Carlton County, Minnesota, Cole Lake has no letter grade — no nutrient or algae measurement meets the evidence bar (at least 3 samples within 10 years). Water clarity averages 10.0 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. 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.
Species recorded at Cole Lake
11 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Cole 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.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Cole Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Cole Lake average 13.12 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 15, 2016. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–19 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 Cole Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
8 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2016-08-15 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 13.12 | 1.33 lb |
| Bluegill | 6.34 | 0.17 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 6.20 | 0.13 lb |
| Walleye | 4.55 | 2.27 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 3.32 | 0.16 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.55 | 2.23 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.
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Walleye
From the 2016-08-15 survey
A standard survey was conducted on Cole Lake during the summer of 2016 to evaluate and update information about fish populations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Walleye stocking program. Walleye and Largemouth Bass are the primary management species for Cole Lake. Walleye fry have been stocked every other…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Cole Lake. 5 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — ColeFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Cole (0243)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Cole (2071)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — ColeFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — ColePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Cole Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Cole Lake average 13.12 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 15, 2016. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–19 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 11 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Cole Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Cole Lake is dated August 15, 2016. 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 Cole Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Cole 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 Cole 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 Cole Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter. 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 Cole Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Cole Lake
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