Binagami

Binagami Lake is a 117-acre lake north of Grand Marais and public access is through a carry-in landing on the northeast shore. Current managed species in Binagami include walleye and bluegill. The 2023 standard survey was conducted to evaluate the walleye and bluegill populations in the lake and determine whether additional stocking is necessary to meet the current management goals. Bluegill were not captured in the trap nets or gill nets in the 2023 standard lake survey and may indicate that the population has collapsed. Initial survey results suggest that continued supplemental stocking may be needed to support the bluegill population. Walleye abundance in 2023 was very high in Binagami Lake for both the gill net and trap net sets. Walleye captured ranged from 6.1 to 18.9 inches with a mean length of 14.7 inches. Aging results indicated a total of 8 naturally reproduced year classes present with individuals as old as 9 present in the population. Back calculated growth rates suggest relatively steady growth until about 15 inches and then slow growth from there on. High competition with other fish and lack of forage for walleye may be limiting growth. Despite slow growth and lack of large fish the walleye fishery provides excellent angling opportunities. Rock bass continued to be present in Binagami Lake but at low levels in both the gill nets and trap nets. No rock bass greater than 7.0 inches were found. White sucker abundance was similar to previous years and were relatively large ranging from 16.3 to 19.3 inches. White suckers may compete with walleye for available forage. To date no northern pike, yellow perch, or smallmouth bass have been found in this lake. This is unusual given how prevalent those species are in other local lakes. Cook County, Minnesota lakes continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health. Anglers should clean watercraft and fishing gear, drain all water, and dispose of unused bait in the trash to prevent accidental introductions.

Binagami Lake is currently managed for bluegill and walleye. The management goal for bluegill is a relatively high trap net catch of 3.0 fish/set, with some fish larger than seven inches present. The goal for walleye is a minimum gill net catch of 3.0 fish/set, with some fish over 20 inches present. This was the first of two assessments scheduled in the 2012 lake management plan to monitor fish populations in this lake, and to determine whether additional bluegill stocking would be needed to meet the goal for that species. Bluegill were present in Binagami Lake in 2014; however, their numbers were probably low and most were very small. None were taken in standard trap nets, so the catch goal for the species was not met. Since the catch was low, another stocking of adult bluegill has been proposed for the spring of 2015. Bluegill were collected in 0.25-in-mesh trap nets used in this assessment. The catch in those nets included one seven-inch fish, and several in the 1.5-2.5-inch range. The smaller fish probably came from a single, moderately strong year class produced naturally in 2013 or 2012. Bluegill were last stocked in this lake in 1999. The 2014 walleye catch was typical of catches seen in this lake since 1986. The gill net catch fell a little short of the goal for the species in this lake, and was low for a lake of this type; however, the catch was similar to most seen in this lake recently. The walleye size goal was met by the capture of fish over 20 inches in length in gill nets and trap nets. Although the 2014 catch did not meet the current goal, the general trend in this lake has been towards increasing walleye numbers since stocking was discontinued in 1994. All walleye taken in 2014 had been produced naturally, and it appeared that a moderately strong year class had been produced in 2012. Growth of young walleye had been good; fish reached an average length of 9.0 inches by the end of their second year, compared to an area mean of 8.6 inches. Too few older fish were taken to allow growth of older walleye to be described. Binagami Lake is one of a small number of Cook County lakes supporting rock bass, and they've usually been abundant. The 2014 rock bass catch in standard trap nets was low for this lake historically. Since rock bass have not provided much (if any) angling opportunity, probably compete with bluegill (and young walleye) for forage, and may prey directly on young bluegill, a drop in rock bass abundance may be a positive sign for this lake. No northern pike or yellow perch have ever been collected in Binagami Lake. The absence of those species is unusual in a lake of this type, in this area. Largemouth bass have not been collected in this lake since 1983, and no smallmouth bass have ever been found The white sucker gill net catch was within the normal range for a lake of this type, and for this lake historically. White sucker can compete with walleye for invertebrate forage. Although their numbers did not appear to have been excessive in 2014, the lack of yellow perch in this lake increases the reliance of walleye on invertebrates, and increases the chances that competition from white sucker could be (or become) a limiting factor for the walleye population.

Bluegill were abundant but small in 2007. Most of the catch consisted of one and two-year-old fish that were under 6.5 inches in length. Growth rates for those small fish had been fast. If they continue to grow at that rate it is likely that by the end of the summer of 2008, many will be large enough to be of interest to anglers. Rock bass were also abundant in 2007; however, very few were large enough to be taken by anglers. Walleye were fairly abundant in 2007, but the catch was dominated by small, young fish. Most of the walleye collected were under 12 inches in length. All had been produced naturally. Walleye growth rates had been about average, with considerable variation from year class to year class. The lack of a yellow perch forage base was probably a limiting factor for the walleye population in this lake. No other gamefish were taken in this assessment. Northern pike and smallmouth bass have never been found in this lake, and largemouth bass have not been seen here since 1982.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Bluegill, and Rock Bass in Binagami. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Binagami has a maximum depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Binagami is from 2023.

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