McDonald

McDonald Lake is about 15 miles northwest of the City of Grand Marais. There is a signed parking area and carry-in trail off the south side Forest Road 153 which provides lake access. McDonald Lake is an Ecological Class 15 Lake; lakes of that class typically have a shallow maximum depth (less than 15 feet), very irregular shorelines, and very soft bog-stained water. McDonald Lake has been managed for Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass since 2009. The 2017 standard survey of McDonald Lake was the first of two scheduled in the 2009 lake management plan (LMP) to monitor the status of these populations, and to determine if the Walleye population could recover naturally from historic lows observed prior to 2009. The current long-range goals for Northern Pike are to maintain population with a minimum gill net catch of 5.0 fish/net, with a minimum mean weight of 1.4 lb/fish. Goals for the Smallmouth Bass population are to maintain a minimum gill net catch of 1.5 fish/net, with a minimum mean weight of 1.5 lb/fish. Historically, McDonald Lake has produced average numbers of small-medium sized Northern Pike. The 2017 Northern Pike gill net catch failed to meet the abundance goal for the species, although the size goal was met. Northern Pike sampled in 2017 ranged from 17 to 22.5 inches in length, and included three to six-year-old Northern Pike. Growth rates of Northern Pike had been about average; fish reached a mean length of 16.5 inches at the end of their third year, compared to an average of 16.2 inches for similar lakes in this area. Smallmouth Bass remained fairly abundant in McDonald Lake in 2017, and should have provided quality angling opportunities for medium-large sized fish. Both the abundance and size goals for the population were met in this survey. A total of six year classes of Smallmouth Bass were present in the gill net sample, with the 2012 year class appearing most abundant. Those fish reached an average length of 13.9 inches at the end of their fifth year, which was comparable to growth observed in similar lakes in the area. The 2017 Walleye gill net catch improved slightly over more recent survey results, but remained much lower than gill net catches observed prior to 1998. The gill net catch included a wide variety of sizes (range 7.7-23.2 inches) and ages, with fish from one to nine years old collected. All Walleye sampled in this survey were the result of natural reproduction. White Sucker and Yellow Perch are the primary forage species present in McDonald Lake. Gill net catches for both species in 2017 fell into normal ranges for lakes of this type. Results from this survey also suggested the Yellow Perch population may have provided a bonus fishery for anglers. Over half the Yellow Perch sampled in gill nets in 2017 surpassed eight inches in length, and the catch included fish up to 11 inches long. The nearshore fish community of McDonald Lake was also sampled during this survey using nine small-mesh beach seine hauls at various locations. Prior to 2017, McDonald Lake was known to support Blacknose Shiner, Central Mudminnow, Longnose Dace, and Pearl Dace in addition to the Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, and White Sucker populations. The 2017 survey added Golden Shiner and Bluegill to that list. Bluegill found McDonald Lake likely originated from the Two Island Lake population, which has been established for many years and is located one lake upstream in the watershed. Established Bluegill populations are rare in the Grand Marais area, so it remains to be seen if a Bluegill fishery will develop in McDonald Lake. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been found in McDonald Lake. Anglers and boaters are reminded to review the recommended actions for cleaning watercraft and gear before and after accessing any waterbody, and to adhere to all Minnesota AIS laws to protect Minnesota lakes and rivers from additional infestations.

Walleye abundance was low in 2007, both for this lake historically, and for a lake of this type. The three walleye caught were not stocked. They could have resulted from natural reproduction in the lake or a tributary, or from movement downstream from Dick Lake. Smallmouth bass were fairly abundant, and fairly large. Average size of smallmouth bass taken in 2007 was higher than in any past assessment in this lake. Growth had been fast compared to other area lakes. Northern pike were abundant, and their average size was higher than has usually been seen in this lake. Reproduction had been consistently successful for the past several years, and fish up to eight years of age were collected. Growth rates had been close to average, despite the lake of a good yellow perch forage base. Yellow perch abundance was the lowest recorded for this lake, and was low for the lake class. Some large perch were present.

The 2004 walleye catch in McDonald Lake was low, both for a lake of this class and for this lake historically. Although there had been some walleye reproduction, it did not appear that it had been enough to produce any strong year classes recently. Equally low walleye catches were observed when the lake was regularly stocked with walleye. The northern pike catch in 2004 was high for a lake of this type, and it was one of the higher catches observed in this lake in recent assessments. Most of the northern pike collected were young fish (two or three years of age), and most were under 20 inches in length. The smallmouth bass catch was about average for this lake, and for the lake class. Half of the smallmouth bass collected were 12 inches in length or larger (up to 17.9 inches), and growth rates had been relatively fast.Yellow perch were fairly abundant, and many were large enough to provide some angling opportunity. The relatively high yellow perch catch contributed to fast growth rates observed for walleye and northern pike in this lake in 2004. White sucker were also present, although the 2004 catch was relatively low. Most of the white sucker were too large to have been preyed on by even the largest northern pike in the lake.

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

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

McDonald has a maximum depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in McDonald is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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