Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 7, 2014
Fox Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Fox Lake average 13.81 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 7, 2014. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–18 inches. In Pine County, Minnesota, Fox 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 3.7 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 Fox Lake
No stocking record for Fox Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is an absence in the published record, not a confirmation that the lake is unstocked — some waters are managed as naturally reproducing and never appear in a stocking list at all.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Fox Lake average 13.81 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 7, 2014. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–18 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 Fox Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 2 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
5 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2014-07-07 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 13.81 | 1.65 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 12.23 | 0.58 lb |
| Black Crappie | 7.44 | 0.27 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 5.09 | 0.18 lb |
| Bluegill | 4.53 | 0.27 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 3.71 | 0.68 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
Black Bullhead
Black Crappie
Yellow Perch
From the 2014-07-07 survey
Fox is a 239 acre lake in northwest Pine County 3 miles west of Willow River. The lake lacks a designated public access but boat launching is possible from the township road on the west shore. Despite a maximum depth of only 14.5 feet, a significant winterkill has never been recorded. On a per acre basis, angling…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Fox Lake. 2 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — FoxFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Fox (0370)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Fox Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Fox Lake average 13.81 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 5 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 7, 2014. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–18 inches. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Fox Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Fox Lake is dated July 7, 2014. 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 Fox Lake stocked?
No stocking record for Fox Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is not the same as a confirmed unstocked lake: it means no stocking document was published for it in the records this page draws on.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Fox 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 Fox Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 2 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 Fox Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Fox Lake
Planning a trip to Fox Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Fox Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.