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MN Fish Finder

Brule

Cook County
Near Grand Marais
DOW: 16034800
WalleyeGood · 74Smallmouth BassGood · 50Northern PikeAverage · 47

A 4,327-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County — best known for walleye and bass. Last surveyed 2019.

Fish Species (5)

Walleye

Good · 74

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2019

Avg Size
15.4"
Avg Weight
1.59 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 0.6–9.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye77% keeper-size (15"+)
10–14" · 23%Largest sampled 24"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20190.0915.4"2.53 lbs
Sep 9, 20195.2915.4"1.59 lbs
Sep 8, 20093.5314.2"1.12 lbs

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2019

Avg Size
6.6"
Avg Weight
1.92 lbs

Catch rate: 0.93 per gill net · typical 0.3–2.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable smallmouth bass100% keeper-size (12"+)
All keeper-sizeLargest sampled 18"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20190.936.6"1.92 lbs
Sep 9, 20192.096.6"-
Sep 8, 20090.675.6"1.74 lbs

Northern Pike

Average · 47

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2019

Avg Size
19.1"
Avg Weight
1.66 lbs

Catch rate: 0.57 per gill net · typical 0.3–1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike13% keeper-size (24"+)
14–23" · 87%Largest sampled 24"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20190.5719.1"1.66 lbs
Sep 8, 20091.4018.2"1.45 lbs
Sep 16, 19960.3119.9"1.59 lbs

Yellow Perch

Average · 28

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2019

Avg Size
3.1"
Avg Weight
0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.14 per gill net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20190.143.1"0.10 lbs
Sep 9, 20190.733.1"0.01 lbs
Sep 8, 20090.401.8"0.13 lbs
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 · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2019

Avg Size
17.8"
Avg Weight
2.84 lbs

Catch rate: 3.4 per gill net · typical 1.7–5 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 20193.3617.8"2.84 lbs
Sep 9, 20190.1817.8"3.48 lbs
Sep 8, 20093.2718.3"3.27 lbs

Biologist Notes

August 24, 2023A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Brule Lake on August 24th, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenat…

A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Brule Lake on August 24th, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 23 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 60.4 feet, which was below the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 8.8°C (47.8°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for Cisco. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below the thermocline indicate that suitable oxythermal habitat for Cisco was available across a range of depths at the time of sampling during the summer of 2023. Data collected in 1977 and 1983 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are not squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore do not experience higher levels of stress.

August 24, 2023A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Brule Lake on August 24th, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenat…

A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Brule Lake on August 24th, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 23 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 60.4 feet, which was below the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 8.8°C (47.8°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for Cisco. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below the thermocline indicate that suitable oxythermal habitat for Cisco was available across a range of depths at the time of sampling during the summer of 2023. Data collected in 1977 and 1983 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are not squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore do not experience higher levels of stress.

August 24, 2023A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Brule Lake on August 24th, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenat…

A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Brule Lake on August 24th, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 23 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 60.4 feet, which was below the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 8.8°C (47.8°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for Cisco. Dissolved oxygen concentrations below the thermocline indicate that suitable oxythermal habitat for Cisco was available across a range of depths at the time of sampling during the summer of 2023. Data collected in 1977 and 1983 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are not squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore do not experience higher levels of stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Brule?

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

Is there public access at Brule?

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

How deep is Brule?

Brule has a maximum depth of 78 feet and a mean depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Brule last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Brule is from 2019.

Does Brule have any invasive species?

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

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Lake Details

Surface Area
4,326.71 acres
Max Depth
78 ft
Mean Depth
35 ft
Shoreline
63.09 mi
Public Access
Yes
View on DNR LakeFinder

Location

47.9380°N, 90.6715°W

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