Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 21, 2025
Elk Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Elk Lake average 36.34 muskellunge per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 21, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–50 inches. In Clearwater County, Minnesota, Elk Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 12.0 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 Elk Lake
16 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 Elk 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 Elk 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 Elk Lake average 36.34 muskellunge per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 21, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–50 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Elk Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
14 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-07-21 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge | 36.34 | 12.78 lb |
| Bluegill | 17.50 | 0.14 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 15.47 | — |
| Tullibee (Cisco) | 14.76 | 0.9 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.
Muskellunge
Bluegill
Tullibee (Cisco)
From the 2025-07-21 survey
Elk Lake is a 303-acre lake, located within Itasca State Park about 30 miles southwest of Bemidji, MN. A targeted survey was completed on Elk Lake by Bemidji Area Fisheries staff during July of 2025 to assess the nearshore fish community and overall health of the lake. In this survey, 10 nearshore sites (100-foot)…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Elk Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — ElkFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Elk (1375)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — ElkFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — ElkPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Elk Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Elk Lake average 36.34 muskellunge per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated July 21, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 14–50 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 16 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 Elk Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Elk Lake is dated July 21, 2025. 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 Elk Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Elk 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 Elk Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Elk Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 5 years of monitoring is improving. 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 Elk Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Elk Lake
Planning a trip to Elk Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Elk Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.