Axe

Cook County

Near Lutsen

DOW: 16040700

WalleyeGood · 72Northern PikeAverage · 49Yellow PerchAverage · 27

A 55-acre lake near Lutsen in Cook County — best known for walleye and pike. Last surveyed 2000.

Fish Species (4)

Walleye

Good · 72

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

15.8"

Avg Weight

1.66 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 1.3–5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye67% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 33%Largest sampled 18"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 13, 2000	3.00	15.8"	1.66 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 9, 1991	3.00	-	1.17 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 49

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

20.3"

Avg Weight

1.78 lbs

Catch rate: 4.7 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike14% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 86%Largest sampled 28"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 13, 2000	4.67	20.3"	1.78 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 9, 1991	0.33	-	1.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 10, 1974	7.00	-	1.33 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 27

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 2–16 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 9, 1991	0.67	-	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 10, 1974	1.33	-	0.09 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 · 64

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2000

Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.8"

Avg Weight

2.61 lbs

Catch rate: 8.7 per gill net · typical 4–14.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 13, 2000	8.67	17.8"	2.61 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 9, 1991	8.67	-	2.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 10, 1974	6.67	-	1.65 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 13, 2000Walleye were present in average numbers and sizes. It appeared that recent stocking had contributed little to the population, although natural reprodu…

Walleye were present in average numbers and sizes. It appeared that recent stocking had contributed little to the population, although natural reproduction had also not produced strong year classes. The northern pike catch was also average in terms of numbers and size. Growth rates were fairly good, but mortality appeared to have been high. Only one fish older than three years of age was collected. No yellow perch were taken in 2000; their abundance may have declined since walleye were introduced. No other game fish, and no panfish species, were known to have been present in this lake.

July 9, 1991SURVIVAL OF THE INTRODUCTORY WAE FRY STOCKINGS IN 1986-1988 WAS GOOD, BUT GROWTH WAS SLOW BY COOK COUNTY STANDARDS. WAE CAPTURED IN THIS ASSESSMENT WE…

SURVIVAL OF THE INTRODUCTORY WAE FRY STOCKINGS IN 1986-1988 WAS GOOD, BUT GROWTH WAS SLOW BY COOK COUNTY STANDARDS. WAE CAPTURED IN THIS ASSESSMENT WERE LIKELY NOT YET MATURE, AND IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER WAE POPULATIONS IN THIS LAKE CAN BE SUSTAINED NATURALLY. FORAGE APPEARED TO BE LIMITED. THE CATCH OF NOP WAS MUCH HIGHER IN THE 1974 SURVEY, AND EVEN GIVEN THE SMALL NUMBER OF NETS USED, IT IS LIKELY THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN NOP ABUNDANCE SINCE 1974. SINCE THE ASSESSMENT RECORD IS LIMITED, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THIS DECLINE IS THE RESULT OF THE WAE INTRODUCTION, THE END RESULT OF A LONG TERM TREND, OR SIMPLY THE LOW POINT IN A POPULATION FLUCTUATION.

July 10, 1974Axe Lake has a good poppulation of N Pike with indications of a fair size distribution. Suckers are fairly abundant but few Perch were taken.

Axe Lake has a good poppulation of N Pike with indications of a fair size distribution. Suckers are fairly abundant but few Perch were taken.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Axe?

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

Is there public access at Axe?

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

How deep is Axe?

Axe has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Axe last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Axe is from 2000. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.