Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest April 22, 2024
Tofte Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Tofte Lake average 1583.75 fathead minnow per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated April 22, 2024. In Lake County, Minnesota, Tofte 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 18.5 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 Tofte Lake
3 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 Tofte 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 Tofte 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 Tofte Lake average 1583.75 fathead minnow per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated April 22, 2024.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Tofte Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
15 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-04-22 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Fathead Minnow | 1583.75 | — |
| White Sucker | 13.53 | 1.35 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.
White Sucker
From the 2024-04-22 survey
Tofte is a 134-acre designated stream trout lake located 14 miles east of Ely off the Fernberg Road. It is clear, has a maximum depth of 73 feet, and has generally rocky shorelines interspersed with areas of muck. Aquatic vegetation is largely limited to the shallow north bay. Four primitive campsites are present…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Tofte Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — TofteFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Tofte (1889)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — TofteFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — ToftePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Tofte Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Tofte Lake average 1583.75 fathead minnow per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 15 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated April 22, 2024. Minnesota DNR lists 3 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 Tofte Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Tofte Lake is dated April 22, 2024. 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 Tofte Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Tofte 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 Tofte 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 Tofte Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is declining. 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 Tofte Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Tofte Lake
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