Chub

Chub Lake is a 313-acre lake located near Carlton, Minnesota with 54% (169 acres) littoral area and a maximum depth of 28 feet. A county owned, concrete back-in access is located on the north end of the lake, near Chub Lake Park. Walleye and Largemouth Bass are the primary management species and Black Crappie is the secondary management species. Chub was last surveyed in 2014. Chub Lake was assessed during the summer of 2020 to update information about fish populations and to evaluate the success of the Walleye stocking program. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked into Chub Lake during even years since 1992. Walleye abundance of 0.7 per gillnet lift was down from 2014 (1.7) but still considered average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was large at 21.5 inches. One-hundred percent of the Walleyes aged corresponded to stocked year-classes suggesting limited, if any natural reproduction. Spring Largemouth Bass sampling was suspended during the spring of 2020 due to the pandemic. Previous spring Largemouth Bass electrofishing assessments have shown a robust bass population in Chub Lake. Black Crappie abundance of 4.6 per trapnet lift was down from 2014 (12.9) but was still above average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black Crappie average length was 5.7 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2010 to 2019 were represented indicating consistent reproduction. Northern Pike were abundant but trend small with an average length of 20.2 inches. Bluegill abundance was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 4.3 inches. Yellow Perch were scarce and small.

Chub Lake is a 311 acre lake located near Carlton, Minnesota with 54% (169 acres) littoral area and a maximum depth of 28 feet. A state owned, concrete back-in access is located on the north end of the lake, near Chub Lake Park. Chub Lake was last surveyed in 2009. Chub Lake was assessed during the summer of 2014 to update information about fish populations and to evaluate the success of the walleye stocking program. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked into Chub Lake during even years since 1992. Walleye abundance of 1.7 per gillnet lift was down from 2009 (9.2) but still considered average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was impressive at 21.0 inches and growth was slow when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Only four year-classes from 2000 through 2010 were represented. Fifty percent of the walleyes aged were from the 2004 year-class. One-hundred percent of the walleyes aged corresponded to stocked year-classes suggesting limited, if any natural reproduction. A total of 188 largemouth bass were sampled with electrofishing equipment. The catch rate of largemouth bass was 149.0 fish per hour of electrofishing on-time. Largemouth bass catch rates have been high on Chub, ranging from 125.9 in 2009 to 158.8 in 1999 over the last four investigations. Largemouth bass average length was 13.2 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Largemouth bass growth rates have been decreasing over the last several assessments in Chub Lake. All year-classes from 2004 through 2012 were represented with strong 2007 and 2010 year-classes. Black crappie abundance of 12.9 per trapnet lift was up from 2009 (5.0) and was above average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black crappie mean length was 5.7 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2007 to 2012 were represented with a strong 2010 year-class. Northern pike abundance of 11.0 per gillnet lift was down from 2009 (15.2) and average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 20.2 inches. Northern pike were not aged for this assessment. Bluegill abundance of 8.0 per trapnet lift was down from 2009 (9.3) and below average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of sampled bluegills was 4.3 inches. Bluegill were not aged for this assessment. Yellow perch abundance of 0.3 per gillnet lift was down from 2009 (1.0) and was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of perch was 6.3 inches, but not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. Other fish species sampled included black bullhead, golden shiner, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass and white sucker. Water levels were up approximately two feet from the 2009 survey. Other lakes in the Nemadji River watershed (such as nearby Hay Lake) have also seen increases in water levels the last couple years. Eurasion water milfoil was discovered growing near the boat launch by field staff during the 2009 survey. It appears as though the plant has expanded in the last several years as Eurasion milfoil stands were noted near several net locations. The DNR has designated the lake as infested waters and posted signs to notify those using the public water access. Designation of the lake as an infested water prohibits the transport of water and harvest of bait. The regulation that prohibited fishing and recreational boating in the southeast bay from the opening of the general fishing season to June 30 was permanently removed in 2014. The regulation was intended to protect spawning largemouth bass. Recent assessments have shown that Chub Lake's largemouth bass population has become over abundant and is dominated by excessive stock sized fish and growth rates are at historic lows. With increasing population density, food availability per fish declines, leading to slower growth and poorer condition of the surviving fish. The removal of the regulation may allow increased harvest (or induced nest failure by catch-and-release angling) leading to a lower population density which may allow remaining fish to experience more rapid growth, eventually leading to an improved size structure for largemouth bass in Chub Lake.

Chub Lake is a 311 acre lake located near Carlton, Minnesota with 54% (169 acres) littoral area and a maximum depth of 28 feet. A state owned, concrete back-in access is located on the north end of the lake, near Chub Lake Park. Walleye fry have been stocked in even years from 1982 through 2008. Chub Lake was last assessed in 2004. Chub Lake was surveyed during the summer of 2009 to update information about fish populations and to evaluate the success of the walleye stocking program. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked into Chub Lake during even years since 1992. Walleye abundance of 9.2 per gillnet lift was up from 2004 (3.3) and was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was impressive at 19.5 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2000 to 2008 were represented except 2006. Fifty-two percent of the walleyes aged were from the 2004 year-class. Eighty-five percent of the walleyes aged corresponded to stocked year-classes. A total of 90 largemouth bass were sampled with electrofishing equipment. The catch rate of largemouth bass was 125.9 fish per hour of electrofishing on-time. Largemouth bass average length was 13.0 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 1997 through 2008 were represented in the sample. Shoreline seining captured 36 young-of-the-year (YOY) largemouth bass with an average length of 1.8 inches. Northern pike abundance of 15.2 per gillnet lift was up from 2004 (7.2) and average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Historically, the northern pike CPUE has been increasing in Chub and has ranged from 5.5 (1976) to 15.2 (2009). Average length was 21.7 inches and growth was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2001 to 2008 were represented. Black crappie abundance of 5.0 per trapnet lift was down from 2004 (0.9) and was above average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black crappie mean length was 7.0 inches and growth was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2003 to 2007 were represented. Bluegill abundance of 9.3 per trapnet lift was up from 2004 (8.0) and average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of sampled bluegills was 4.6 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 1997 to 2007 were represented. Shoreline seining captured 3 YOY bluegill with an average length of 1.8 inches. Yellow perch abundance of 1.0 per gillnet lift was down from 2004 (4.0) and was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of perch was 6.6 inches, but not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. Other fish species sampled included black and brown bullhead, golden shiner, Johnny darter, brook stickleback, spottail shiner, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass and white sucker. Information was collected on aquatic vegetation, substrate and water quality. Twenty-six aquatic plant species or species groups were identified along 20 transects. Flat-stem pondweed was the most frequently found plant (90% of transects) followed by variable-leaf pondweed, bushy pondweed and Robbins pondweed (85%, 80% and 80% of transects, respectively). The most common substrate types were sand, gravel and rubble which were identified along 95%, 65% and 35% of the transects, respectively. Results of laboratory water analysis indicate Chub is an alkaline, moderately hard water lake with moderate fertility. A substantial percentage (74%) of lakeshore homeowners on Chub Lake have open yards extending to the shoreline. Lakeshore owners can prevent excessive nutrient loading by avoiding lawn fertilization, limiting aquatic vegetation removal, and implementing riparian best management practices. The shoreline restoration near the public access located in Chub Lake Park provides a good demonstration of riparian best management practices. This project restored a portion of the Chub Lake Park shoreline that was previously high maintenance turf grass to native vegetation and provides a buffer to filter nutrients for the lake. Eurasion water milfoil was discovered growing near the boat launch by field staff during this assessment. It appears as though the plant has been in Chub Lake for a couple of growing seasons as plants were rooted and "topped out" in some stands. MN DNR Ecological Resources staff conducted a more detailed assessment of the extent of the infestation and found the plant limited to areas around the boat launch and one small patch near the point on the western shoreline. The DNR has designated the lake as infested waters and posted signs to notify those using the public water access. Designation of the lake as an infested water prohibits the transport of water and harvest of bait.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, and Northern Pike in Chub. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Chub. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Chub has a maximum depth of 28 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Chub is from 2020.

Yes — Chub has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.