Roosevelt

Roosevelt is a 1,511 acre lake located in the town of Outing in Cass County. It has a maximum depth of 129 feet and 25% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. On the east side of the lake is a DNR access one mile south of Outing on the west side of Minnesota Highway 6. Muskellunge are the primary managed species on Roosevelt. Muskellunge were first introduced in 2011 via stocking and regular fingerling stocking began in 2012. Roosevelt is stocked in even number years at a rate of 1 fish per littoral acre (390 total). A spring trap net survey was conducted targeting Muskellunge, a total of 13 were caught, with lengths ranging from 34 inches to 52 inches. Please refer to the April 2024 survey for more information. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 4.2 per gill net which is typical for lakes with similar habitats. Pike had an average length of 24.9 inches. Out of 63 Northern Pike sampled 38% were 26 inches or greater with fish over 35 inches present. Roosevelt should provide anglers with opportunities for a chance at a large fish. Roosevelt is a part of the north central zone for Northern Pike. The possession limit is 10 with no more than 2 over 26 inches. All angler caught pike from 22 to 26 inches must be immediately released. Please refer to the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations for additional information. Walleye were sampled in low numbers at 1.3 per gill net despite frequent fingerling stocking efforts. Quality fish were present, with an average length of 19.4 inches with fish up to 29.4 inches sampled. Angler catch rates may be limited but there are opportunities for those that want to catch a large Walleye. Lakes with similar habitats rarely produce high Black Crappie catches. Black Crappie were sampled in modest numbers, with 25% of the sample measuring over 9 inches. Growth appeared to be somewhat slow. Bluegill catch was average in number, but they were a bit on the smaller side, with only 7% measuring at least 7 inches. Growth rates appeared to be too slow for quality sunfish management. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass were sampled by nighttime electrofishing. Catch rates for Largemouth Bass were 46.8 per hour with an average length of 11.9 inches. Smallmouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 8.6 per hour with an average length of 16.1 inches and fish over 19 inches were present. Smallmouth are not overly abundant but opportunities for large fish exist. Tullibee (Cisco) were caught in average numbers at 3.5 per gill net, and the average length was 9.9inches. Cisco are an important prey species for predators like Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and Walleye.

Roosevelt Lake is 1,511 acres located in the town of Outing in Cass County. The maximum depth is 129 feet and 25% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. On the east side of the lake is a DNR access one mile south of Outing on the west side of Minnesota Highway 6. Muskellunge are the primary managed species on Roosevelt Lake. Regular fingerling stocking of Muskellunge started in 2012. Large frame trap nets were set on April 29th and lifted every day until May 15th to assess the Muskellunge population. A total of 13 Muskellunge were sampled, including four females and nine males ranging in length from 34.9" to 52.5". The average length of sampled Muskellunge was 41.2". All Muskellunge in the lake have a unique PIT tag that allows for individual identification.

Temperature-dissolved oxygen profiles were collected in the deepest basins on Roosevelt Lake on August 14th, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Two profiles were collected due to the size and complexity of the lake (i.e., Water Quality Station 1 and 2). Based on the average of the two profiles, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 16 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 68.9 feet in Water Quality Station 1 (WQ 1), and 24.6 feet in WQ 2, both of which were below the thermocline at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L in WQ 1 (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 5.8°C (42.4°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for Cisco. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below the thermocline indicate that suitable oxythermal habitat for Cisco was available across a wide range of depths at the time of sampling during the summer of 2023. Data collected in 1988, 1999, and 2001 further indicate suitable oxythermal habitat across years, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1999. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, and Hybrid Sunfish in Roosevelt. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Roosevelt has a maximum depth of 129 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Roosevelt is from 2024.

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