Ruby

Ruby Lake was added to the area's assessment schedule in 2014 to provide a training opportunity for newly hired staff, and because no survey information had been collected on the lake since 1979. Ruby Lake lies outside the BWCAW, and is known to see some use by local residents and guests at nearby resorts. Northern pike were fairly abundant in Ruby Lake in 2014, and a few larger fish were present. The 2014 northern pike catch fell within the normal range for a lake of this type, and was similar to the catch observed in the 1979 survey. Fish taken in 2014 ranged in length from 16.1 to 25.9 inches. Although no scale samples were collected, and no fish were aged, it appeared from the sizes of fish taken that two or three year classes had contributed to the catch. Northern pike of similar size were collected in 1979. The yellow perch catch in two gill net sets in 2014 consisted of a single fish, compared to 43 taken in two gill net sets in 1979. Despite the large difference in catches, low sampling effort in both years, and a complete lack of data from intervening years, makes it impossible to say with any certainty that the yellow perch population has declined in this lake. In addition to northern pike and yellow perch, sampling with 0.25-in-mesh minnow traps in 1979 also collected YOY bluegill and green sunfish. Its possible that both species were still present in 2014, since neither may have been present at sizes vulnerable to the gill nets used in the 2014 assessment. The 1979 survey crew reported anglers had caught smallmouth bass in Ruby Lake at around that time; however, none were collected in the 1979 survey or in this assessment.

N Pike are present in average numbers with a fair range of sizes. Perch of all sizes appear abund. Bluegills & Grn Sunfish are present. SM Bass are reported to be present but none were taken during this survey.

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

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

Ruby has a maximum depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ruby is from 2014. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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