Little Caribou

Cook County

Near Grand Marais

DOW: 16014200

WalleyeGood · 74Northern PikeGood · 57Largemouth BassAverage · 42

A 53-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County — best known for walleye and pike. Last surveyed 1996.

Fish Species (6)

Walleye

Good · 74

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

15.7"

Avg Weight

1.60 lbs

Catch rate: 7.0 per gill net · typical 2.2–10.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye62% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 38%Largest sampled 21"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1996	7.00	15.7"	1.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 57

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

22.1"

Avg Weight

3.35 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 2–8.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike22% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 78%Largest sampled 40"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1996	3.00	22.1"	3.35 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 2, 1973	2.33	-	2.36 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Average · 42

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1973

Last surveyed 1973 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.3–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 2, 1973	0.33	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 33

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–14.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1996	1.00	6.0"	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 2, 1973	61.00	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Poor · 12

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.0"

Avg Weight

0.44 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 1.6–3.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1996	0.67	8.0"	0.44 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

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

White Sucker

Good · 70

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.0"

Avg Weight

3.05 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 1.6–8.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 1996	5.33	19.0"	3.05 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 2, 1973	16.33	-	1.77 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 15, 1996Walleye and smallmouth bass populations have become established in this lake since it was last surveyed (1973). Walleye were relatively abundant in 19…

Walleye and smallmouth bass populations have become established in this lake since it was last surveyed (1973). Walleye were relatively abundant in 1996. Only two smallmouth bass were taken in 1996, but they may be more abundant than that, since gill nets are a poor sampling tool for smallmouth. Fair numbers of northern pike were present, including some very large fish; however, most of the northern pike collected were less than 25 inches in length. Yellow perch abundance apparently has declined, probably due to the walleye introduction.

July 2, 1973Little Caribou Lake has high populations of Sucker and Perch. N Pike and LM Bass furnish good to fair angling, however, they did not show up favor. in…

Little Caribou Lake has high populations of Sucker and Perch. N Pike and LM Bass furnish good to fair angling, however, they did not show up favor. in test nets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Little Caribou?

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

Is there public access at Little Caribou?

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

How deep is Little Caribou?

Little Caribou has a maximum depth of 18 feet and a mean depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Little Caribou last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Caribou is from 1996. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.