Poplar
A 764-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 2020.
Fish Species (12)
Black Crappie
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.1–0.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2020 | 0.25 | 9.7" | 0.43 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2020 | 0.25 | 9.7" | 1.03 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2016 | 0.08 | 1.3" | 0.71 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1991
Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.92 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2020 | 0.17 | 5.0" | 0.07 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2016 | 0.40 | 1.1" | 0.13 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2016 | 25.00 | 1.1" | - |
Walleye
Stocked 2023Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1991
Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1.2–5.2 for a lake like this
Size from the Jul 2020 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2020 | 0.58 | 14.8" | 0.71 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2020 | 0.83 | 14.8" | 2.29 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2016 | 0.08 | 12.1" | - |
Stocking Details
| Year | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | fingerlings | 17,216 | 586.4 |
| 2021 | fingerlings | 7,206 | 400.3 |
| 2019 | fingerlings | 20,250 | 578.6 |
| 2017 | fingerlings | 11,603 | 580.1 |
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1991
Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.6–2.4 for a lake like this
Size from the Jul 2020 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2020 | 0.92 | 17.0" | 1.48 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2020 | 1.17 | 17.0" | 0.96 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2016 | 0.25 | 17.2" | 0.48 lbs |
Hybrid Sunfish
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2006
Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2006 | 0.25 | 3.4" | 0.10 lbs |
| Jul 24, 2006 | 0.19 | 3.4" | 0.02 lbs |
Pumpkinseed
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 2012 | 0.09 | 4.0" | 0.02 lbs |
| Jul 9, 2012 | 0.83 | 4.0" | - |
| Jul 9, 2012 | 0.17 | 4.0" | 0.11 lbs |
Bluegill
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.61 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 2012 | 0.61 | - | - |
Smallmouth Bass
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2020
Catch rate: 0.08 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2020 | 0.25 | 10.5" | 0.69 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2020 | 0.08 | 10.5" | 2.66 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2016 | 0.25 | 2.4" | 1.91 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1999
Last surveyed 1999 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 1999 | 0.08 | 3.0" | 0.03 lbs |
Lake Trout
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2003
Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.88 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 4, 2003 | 0.88 | 8.3" | 0.20 lbs |
| Jul 26, 1999 | 0.75 | 7.1" | 0.13 lbs |
| Jul 26, 1999 | 0.12 | 7.1" | 0.10 lbs |
Other species in this lake (2)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1991
Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.8–5.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2020 | 2.25 | 17.4" | 2.50 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2016 | 0.33 | 14.6" | 1.13 lbs |
| Jul 25, 2016 | 1.60 | 14.6" | 2.12 lbs |
Iowa Darter
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1993
Last surveyed 1993 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.12 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 1993 | 0.12 | 1.0" | - |
Biologist Notes
August 5, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Poplar Lake on August 5th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Poplar Lake on August 5th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 65.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 18.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 64.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 45.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.3 degrees C (48.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish 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 6 years between 1984-2023 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 5, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Poplar Lake on August 5th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Poplar Lake on August 5th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 65.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 18.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 64.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 45.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.3 degrees C (48.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish 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 6 years between 1984-2023 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 5, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Poplar Lake on August 5th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Poplar Lake on August 5th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 65.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 18.4 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 64.1 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 45.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.3 degrees C (48.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Whitefish 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 6 years between 1984-2023 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Poplar?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Northern Pike, and Hybrid Sunfish in Poplar. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Poplar?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Poplar. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Poplar?
Poplar has a maximum depth of 73 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Poplar last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Poplar is from 2020.
Does Poplar have any invasive species?
Yes — Poplar has confirmed spiny waterflea. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.
More lakes in Cook County
View allLake Details
- Surface Area
- 764 acres
- Max Depth
- 73 ft
- Shoreline
- 23.22 mi
- Public Access
- Yes
Invasive Species Alert
- spiny waterflea
Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to prevent spread.