Vale

Vale Lake is a small designated stream trout located in the BWCA on a non-motor route. This lake has a reputation of producing some large trout for those willing to take the time to access the lake. Access is via a moderate-length but rugged portage trail from the south shore of Pine Lake. Vale Lake provides some shore-fishing opportunity for those that don't wish to portage in watercraft. Fishing sites on the north and south shores of the lake can be reached by foot travel from the end of the portage trail. Brook Trout were abundant in Vale Lake in the fall 2015 survey and some large fish were present. This assessment was done with two gill net sets which sampled a total of 39 Brook Trout ranging in length from 8.3 inches to 16.1 inches, with an average length of 14.0 inches. The catch of 14.5 Brook Trout per net was higher than the average of six per net seen in stream trout lakes in this area. All Brook Trout taken were one or three years of age, and were probably from the fall 2012 and 2014 stockings. Growth was about average for a lake of this type. The 2015 white sucker catch was the second highest observed in this lake; lengths ranged from 6.5 inches to 15.0 inches. The average size was small at 8.5 inches. High populations of white sucker in a stream trout lake could cause reduced growth rates for trout due to high competition for invertebrate forage. Possible forage fish were observed in the form of large schools of dace (minnows), and abundant leeches along the shoreline. The smaller sucker could provide additional forage for the larger trout in the lake. Caution should be used when crossing Pine Lake to access this lake as even a moderate West (or East) wind can produce large waves and dangerous conditions for canoeing on that lake.

The 2006 brook trout catch was lower than average, compared to other stream trout lakes in this area; however, it wasn't unusually low for this lake, where catches have fluctuated considerably from assessment to assessment. All of the fish collected in 2006 were four-year-old fish from a 2002 stocking. While this produced an excellent average size, it also meant that no small fish will be present to support the fishery in this lake when the older fish are gone (brook trout rarely live beyond four years of age in stream trout lakes). Survival of fish stocked in 2004 was apparently very low. Brook trout were also stocked in 2006 (after this assessment), but those fish will probably not be large enough to be of interest to anglers until the summer of 2008.

Vale Lake is a fairly remote stream trout lake that is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Access is limited by permitted entry and non-motorized use in the BWCAW. The portage trail to Vale Lake is rugged. The catch and average size of captured brook trout have varied widely during assessments. Growth of brook trout seems to vary widely among individuals. Brook trout up to 20 inches have been captured in this lake.The 2001 catch was within the normal range for stream trout lakes in this area, both in terms of numbers and average size. The catch was dominated by fish from the 2000 fingerling stocking, which were seven to eleven inches in length.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brook Trout in Vale. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Vale. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Vale has a maximum depth of 34 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Vale is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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