Meditation

Meditation Lake is a small, 28-acre lake that is located almost entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Cook County, Minnesota. Access to the lake is considered moderate, with an approximate one-mile paddle/motor across Sea Gull Lake and then a short 0.1-mile portage into the lake. Meditation Lake is currently managed for brook trout, and is aerial stocked with 2,500 fingerlings during the fall of odd numbered years. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels have been suitable for stocked trout in Meditation Lake during the summer. The long-range goal for brook trout in Meditation Lake is to maintain a minimum gill net catch of 6.0 fish/net and a proportional size distribution (PSD) of at least 40 (stock = 8 in, quality = 12 in). In 2025, a standard survey was conducted on Meditation Lake using gillnets to monitor the brook trout fishery and determine if brook catch rates were meeting management objectives. The brook trout catch was exceptional during the 2025 survey on Meditation Lake. Gillnet catch rates were 10.5 fish/net, which was well-above the long-range goal of 6.0 fish/net and long-term average for the lake. A total of 21 brook trout were caught during the survey, all greater than 12.0 inches, with the largest sizes observed since the 1998 survey. Brook trout lengths ranged from 12.1 to 17.7 inches and averaged 15.2 inches. Age analysis found equal numbers of two- and four-year-old fish, coming from the 2023 and 2021 stocking events. Growth of brook trout was fast, with two-year-old fish averaging 14.0 inches and four-year-old fish averaging 16.5 inches. Habitat conditions (temperature and oxygen) from the surface down to 12.0 feet were found to be suitable for stocked trout during stressful periods of the summertime, suggesting that most of the lake was suitable for brook trout. With good catch rates, growth, and survivorship of brook trout to age four, habitat does not appear to limit the brook trout population. Meditation Lake continues to provide excellent angling opportunities for brook trout with good catch rates and large sizes fish. Minnesota Lakes within Cook County continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health. Anglers should clean watercraft and fishing gear, drain all water, and dispose of unused bait in the trash to prevent accidental introductions.

Meditation Lake has been managed for stream trout since it was reclaimed for that purpose in 1973. This was the first of two surveys scheduled in the 2014 lake management plan to determine if a Brook Trout size goal established in that plan was reasonable for this lake. The goal established in 2014 was to maintain a population where at least 40% of Brook Trout larger than eight inches would also exceed 12 inches in length. That plan also established a catch goal of 9.0 Brook Trout/gill net set. Reductions in area funding since 2014 have forced changes to the stocking program in Meditation, with stocking frequency reduced from annual to alternate years beginning in 2021 under a proposed 2018 plan revision. The catch goal would be reduced to a more realistic 6.0 fish/set, while the size goal would remain unchanged. Evaluation of both goals will continue in a new series of surveys scheduled in the proposed plan. Brook Trout were fairly abundant in 2017, but most were small. The Brook Trout gill net catch was close to the average for fall catches in Grand Marais-area lakes (6.0 fish/set), but fell short of the goal from the 2014 management plan. The size of fish taken in 2017 also failed to meet the goal in the 2014 plan, although it was similar to values seen in several past surveys of this lake. Three stocked year classes contributed to the catch, which included one four-year-old fish, but no fish from the stocked 2014 year class. Most of the fish taken were from stockings done in 2015 and 2016. As has been the case in most past surveys of this lake, no undesirable fish species were found in 2017. The lake is known to support high numbers of minnows of various types, which provide high-quality forage and promote good growth for Brook Trout.

Meditation is a designated stream trout lake, first stocked with trout in 1973. It is currently managed for brook trout, with a long range goal of maintaining a population with a minimum gill net catch of 9.0 fish/set, with 40% of stock-sized fish (fish 8 inches or larger) at least 12 inches long. This was the second of two assessments scheduled in the 2006 lake management plan to evaluate stocking and determine whether the size goal was realistic. The current management plan will be reviewed and revised in January 2014. Goals for brook trout in this lake were not met in the 2012 assessment. The brook trout catch was the lowest seen in this lake since 1986, and only 15.4% of stock sized fish (2 of 13 collected) were 12 in or larger. Most of the brook trout collected were one-year-old fish from the 2011 fingerling stocking. Only one fish from the 2010 stocking was collected, and the near-complete failure of that stocking accounted for the low catch seen in 2012. Some fish survived to three years of age, but their numbers also seemed low for a lake in this remote location. Sample sizes were too low to allow growth to be described. No white sucker or other undesirable fish species were taken in this assessment. White sucker have been taken in low numbers in this lake in the past. They may still be present, but if so, they are not abundant enough to have an adverse effect on brook trout growth.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout in Meditation. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Meditation has a maximum depth of 31 feet and a mean depth of 14.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Meditation is from 2025.

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