Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 17, 2019
Dora Lake FishingCWater-quality grade C
Minnesota DNR surveys at Dora Lake average 2.28 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 17, 2019. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 11–22 inches. In Itasca County, Minnesota, Dora Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of C. Water clarity averages 7.5 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 Dora Lake
13 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 Dora 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 Dora 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 Dora Lake average 2.28 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 17, 2019. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 11–22 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Dora Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
7 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2019-06-17 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 25.38 | 0.24 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 8.36 | 0.74 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 7.48 | 0.43 lb |
| White Sucker | 4.15 | 1.83 lb |
| Northern Pike | 2.28 | 1.38 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 1.19 | 0.45 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.
Yellow Perch
Brown Bullhead
Black Bullhead
White Sucker
From the 2019-06-17 survey
Dora Lake is located in northwest Itasca County near Wirt, MN and is part of the Big Fork River watershed in the Hudson Bay drainage. This riverine lake is a widening of the Big Fork River. Dora Lake covers 447 acres and has a maximum depth of 18 ft. Partial winterkills have occurred occasionally. The water is bog…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Dora Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — DoraFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Dora (0677)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — DoraFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — DoraPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Dora Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Dora Lake average 2.28 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 17, 2019. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 11–22 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 13 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 Dora Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Dora Lake is dated June 17, 2019. 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 Dora Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Dora 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 Dora Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Dora Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. 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 Dora Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Dora Lake
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