Misquah
A 52-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County — best known for trout. Last surveyed 2013.
Fish Species (5)
Lake Trout
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013
Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 1–4.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2013 | 0.67 | 29.0" | 9.69 lbs |
| Jul 1, 2003 | 0.33 | 8.0" | 0.21 lbs |
| Jul 9, 1998 | 0.33 | 22.0" | 4.61 lbs |
Brook Trout
Below-normal numbers
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1996
Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 18, 1996 | 1.00 | 6.7" | 0.16 lbs |
Other species in this lake (3)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013
Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 1.5–10.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2013 | 0.67 | 15.5" | 1.79 lbs |
| Jul 1, 2003 | 4.33 | 17.1" | 1.82 lbs |
| Jul 9, 1998 | 3.33 | 15.2" | 1.65 lbs |
Bluntnose Minnow
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013
Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 3.9 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2013 | 3.88 | - | - |
Fathead Minnow
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013
Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 18.5 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2013 | 18.50 | - | - |
| Jul 1, 2003 | 57.00 | - | - |
Biologist Notes
August 7, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Misquah Lake on August 7th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Misquah Lake on August 7th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 17.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 59.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 41.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.9 degrees C (40.8 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024, 2023, and 1990 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 7, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Misquah Lake on August 7th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Misquah Lake on August 7th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 17.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 59.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 41.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.9 degrees C (40.8 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024, 2023, and 1990 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 7, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Misquah Lake on August 7th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Misquah Lake on August 7th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 17.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 59.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 41.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.9 degrees C (40.8 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024, 2023, and 1990 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Misquah?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout and Brook Trout in Misquah. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Misquah?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Misquah. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Misquah?
Misquah has a maximum depth of 60 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Misquah last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Misquah is from 2013. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Misquah have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Misquah in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
More lakes in Cook County
View allLake Details
- Surface Area
- 51.98 acres
- Max Depth
- 60 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.32 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed