North Fowl

Cook County

Near Hovland

DOW: 16003600

Yellow PerchExcellent · 91WalleyeExcellent · 78Northern PikeGood · 72

A 1,040-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 1998.

Fish Species (6)

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 91

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.4"

Avg Weight

0.45 lbs

Catch rate: 27.0 per gill net · typical 4.7–15.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch56% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 44%Largest sampled 13"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1998	3.10	7.4"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 22, 1998	27.00	7.4"	0.45 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1993	26.33	8.4"	0.85 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Excellent · 78

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

12.8"

Avg Weight

1.13 lbs

Catch rate: 16.2 per gill net · typical 3.2–13.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye30% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 70%Largest sampled 28"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1998	1.20	12.8"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 22, 1998	16.20	12.8"	1.13 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1993	16.50	11.8"	1.24 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 72

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

16.9"

Avg Weight

1.67 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 2–6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike40% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 60%Largest sampled 27"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1998	0.10	16.9"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 22, 1998	3.00	16.9"	1.67 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1993	0.67	16.0"	0.74 lbs	Standard trap nets

Smallmouth Bass

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

2.0"

Catch rate: 0.2 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1998	0.20	2.0"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 20, 1993	0.83	13.4"	2.39 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1993	0.67	13.4"	1.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Good · 57

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.9"

Avg Weight

2.61 lbs

Catch rate: 3.6 per gill net · typical 3–11 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1998	14.30	17.9"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 22, 1998	3.60	17.9"	2.61 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1993	5.83	17.8"	2.63 lbs	Standard gill nets

Fathead Minnow

Insufficient

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1993

Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1993	0.33	-	-	1/4-in trap nets

Biologist Notes

July 22, 1998The 1998 walleye catch was high for lakes of this class, but not for this lake historically. The walleye population was entirely natural, and several…

The 1998 walleye catch was high for lakes of this class, but not for this lake historically. The walleye population was entirely natural, and several year classes were included in the catch. Walleye growth rates appeared to have been fairly fast for a lake of this class, probably due to the presence of an excellent yellow perch forage base.Yellow perch were abundant, and many large fish were present. Yellow perch growth had also been relatively fast. The northern pike catch was about average for lakes of this class, and for this lake historically. Smallmouth bass were present; although none were taken in gill nets, YOY fish were collected in 1/4-in-mesh trap nets used in 1998.

July 20, 1993Walleye were very abundant, and present in a wide range of sizes, with most between 12 and 18 inches. There appeared to be good natural reproduction i…

Walleye were very abundant, and present in a wide range of sizes, with most between 12 and 18 inches. There appeared to be good natural reproduction in most years, and the population was entirely self-sustained. Yellow perch were also very abundant and, with a mean weight of 0.9 lb/fish, were larger than usual for lakes in this area. Northern pike and smallmouth bass were present in average numbers. Most of the northern pike collected were small, two-year-old fish, while most of the smallmouth bass collected were relatively large (12-19 inches).

August 1, 1988WALLEYE ABUNDANCE IS EXCELLENT, AND SIZE IS GOOD. THERE IS GOOD NATURAL REPRODUCTION, AND SEVERAL YEAR-CLASSES. WALLEYE GROWTH IS GOOD. YELLOW PERCH A…

WALLEYE ABUNDANCE IS EXCELLENT, AND SIZE IS GOOD. THERE IS GOOD NATURAL REPRODUCTION, AND SEVERAL YEAR-CLASSES. WALLEYE GROWTH IS GOOD. YELLOW PERCH ARE ABUNDANT, PROVIDING GOOD FORAGE FOR GAMEFISH, AND GOOD ANGLING POTENTIAL. YELLOW PERCH GROWTH IS ALSO GOOD, BY STATE STANDARDS. SMALLMOUTH BASS ABUNDANCE IS LOW, BUT SIZE IS EXCELLENT AND GROWTH, BASED ON THE LIMITED SAMPLE IS GOOD.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in North Fowl?

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

Is there public access at North Fowl?

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

How deep is North Fowl?

North Fowl has a maximum depth of 10 feet and a mean depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in North Fowl last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in North Fowl is from 1998. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.