Tamarack

A standard survey was conducted on Tamarack Lake during the summer of 2021 to evaluate and update information about fish populations and to evaluate the Walleye stocking program. Walleye is the primary management species for Tamarack Lake. The current management plan for Tamarack directs Walleye fingerling stocking at a rate of one pound per littoral acre every even year. Walleye abundance of 3.0 per gillnet lift was average compared to other similar Minnesota Lakes. Mean length was 17.9 inches. The proportion of adult Walleye that exceeded quality size (greater than 15 inches) was 72%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 20 inches) was 39%. All stocked year-classes from 2012 through 2018 were present and 100% of the Walleyes aged corresponded to stocked year-classes. In addition, one large fish captured that was nearly 25 inches long was assigned to the 2002 year-class. Black Crappie abundance of 1.7 per trapnet lift was below average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Average length was 8.2 inches and fish up to 10.9 inches in length were sampled. The proportion of adult Black Crappie that exceeded quality size (greater than 8 inches) was 71%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 10 inches) was 14%. Anglers may expect improving catch rates of Black Crappie in the next couple years with moderate abundances of fish present from the 2018 and 2019 year-classes. Bluegill abundance was average at 4.7 per trapnet lift. Average length was 7.2 inches. The proportion of adult Bluegill that exceeded quality size (greater than 6 inches) was 71%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 8 inches) was 0%. Northern Pike abundance of 4.3 per gillnet lift was average compared to other similar Minnesota Lakes. Average size was small at 18.7 inches and 1.4 pounds.

A standard survey was conducted on Tamarack Lake during the summer of 2016 to evaluate and update information about fish populations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Walleye stocking program. Walleye is the primary management species for Tamarack Lake. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked into Tamarack at a rate of one pound per littoral acre every even year since 1992. Walleye abundance of 0.2 per gillnet lift was well below average compared to other similar Minnesota Lakes. Only one specimen was sampled which was 11.9 inches in length. The fish was from the 2014 year-class, which was a stocked year-class. Black Crappie abundance of 3.9 per trapnet lift was average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Average length was 8.1 inches with fish up to 10.4 inches sampled. Anglers should expect good catches of Black Crappie in the next couple years with a strong 2012 year-class present. Bluegill abundance was average at 6.9 per trapnet lift. Average length was 7.2 inches with over two-thirds of the sample exceeding 7.0 inches. Northern Pike abundance of 5.0 per gillnet lift was average compared to other similar Minnesota Lakes. Average size was 19.6 inches and 2.0 pounds.

Tamarack is a 228 acre lake with 176 (77%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 48 feet. Tamarack Lake is located just south of Wright, MN off County Road #128. A DNR administered public access is located on the southwest side of the lake. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked in the fall of even numbered years since 1990. Previous fish population investigations were conducted in 1951, 1972, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000. Tamarack was surveyed during the summer of 2008 to update information about fish populations and to evaluate the success of the walleye stocking program. Walleye abundance of 2.0 was up slightly from 2000 (1.3) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye mean length was 15.4 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Fifty percent of the walleyes sampled were over 18 inches in length. Five year-classes were not represented (1996, 1999-2000 and 2002-2003) from 1995 through 2006. Sixty-seven percent of the walleyes aged corresponded to stocked years. Northern pike abundance of 5.5 per gillnet lift was down from 2000 (7.3) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 21.7 inches and growth was above average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Only 24 percent of the northern pike were over 22 inches in length, with fish up to 36.2 inches sampled. All year-classes from 2002 to 2007 were represented. Black crappie abundance of 6.4 per trapnet lift was up from 2000 (0.8) and was average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black crappie mean length was 8.1 inches, and growth was below average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2001 to 2006 were represented. Bluegill abundance of 15.8 per trapnet lift was up from 2000 (6.7) and was average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of sampled bluegills was good at 6.9 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Six percent of the fish captured exceeded 8 inches. All year-classes from 1999 to 2006 were represented, with strong 2002 and 2003 year-classes, comprising 61% of captured fish. Yellow perch abundance of 1.3 per gillnet lift was down from 2000 (2.5) and was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of perch was 6.2 inches. Not enough individuals were sampled (8) to evaluate stock density or growth. All year-classes from 2003 to 2005 were represented. Shoreline seining sampled 51 young-of-the-year (YOY) perch indicating a possible strong year-class for 2008. A total of 20 largemouth bass were sampled for the first time in 2008 on Tamarack Lake. Eighteen bass were sampled during shoreline seining, of which 12 were YOY indicating natural reproduction is occurring. This follows an emerging pattern in Duluth Area lakes of largemouth bass showing up in lakes where they have not been documented before. Other fish species sampled included bowfin, pumpkinseed sunfish, hybrid sunfish, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, Iowa darter, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead and white sucker. Information was collected on aquatic vegetation, substrate and water quality. Diversity of aquatic plants was good with 44 species or species groups identified along 20 transects. White waterlily was the most frequently found plant (95% of transects) followed by coontail and wild celery (90% and 80% of transects, respectively). Many species were only found at one transect (5%) including blue flag iris, bulb-bearing water hemlock, bushy pondweed, coiled pondweed, lesser duckweed, liverwort, muskgrass group, needlerush, purple loosestrife, reed canary grass, swamp fivefinger, water moss group and water smartweed. The most common substrate types were sand and detritus, which were identified along 85% and 80% of the transects, respectively. Results of laboratory water analysis indicate Tamarack is a slightly basic, moderately soft water lake with moderate fertility.

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

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

Tamarack has a maximum depth of 48 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Tamarack is from 2021.

No invasive species are on record for Tamarack in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.