Ham

Cook County

Near Grand Marais

DOW: 16060800

WalleyeGood · 61Northern PikeGood · 54Smallmouth BassAverage · 48

A 119-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County — best known for walleye and pike. Last surveyed 1998.

Fish Species (5)

Walleye

Good · 61

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

13.8"

Avg Weight

1.03 lbs

Catch rate: 3.7 per gill net · typical 3–13.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye50% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 50%Largest sampled 18"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1998	3.67	13.8"	1.03 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 19, 1988	3.33	-	1.38 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 54

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

21.3"

Avg Weight

2.28 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 1.2–3.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1998	0.67	21.3"	2.28 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 19, 1988	0.33	-	3.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Average · 48

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.0"

Avg Weight

0.75 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 0.2–0.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1998	0.17	11.0"	0.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 19, 1988	0.67	-	1.88 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 29

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.8"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1998	0.12	6.8"	-	Misc. fish
Aug 27, 1998	1.33	6.8"	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 19, 1988	0.33	-	0.25 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

Average · 49

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.2"

Avg Weight

2.95 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 2.6–11.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 27, 1998	1.50	18.2"	2.95 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 19, 1988	4.33	-	3.85 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

August 27, 1998The walleye catch in the 1998 survey was well within the normal range for lakes of this class. The population was entirely supported by natural reprod…

The walleye catch in the 1998 survey was well within the normal range for lakes of this class. The population was entirely supported by natural reproduction, with good year classes produced in 1995 and 1994. Walleye growth had been about average for the area, probably due to the presence of a fair yellow perch forage base.Smallmouth bass were first found in Ham Lake in 1988. The 1998 catch was at the low end of the normal range for lakes of this class, and it appeared to have been lower than the catch in 1988. The single smallmouth bass collected was an 11 inch, two-year-old fish.The 1998 catch of northern pike was below the normal range for lakes of this class, but it was not unusually low for this lake, historically. The largest northern pike collected was a five-year-old, 27-inch fish.

August 19, 1988WALLEYE ABUNDANCE, SIZE AND GROWTH ARE GOOD. THE POPULATION IS SUPPORTED ENTIRELY BY NATURAL REPRODUCTION. SMALLMOUTH ABUNDANCE AND SIZE SEEM TO BE AC…

WALLEYE ABUNDANCE, SIZE AND GROWTH ARE GOOD. THE POPULATION IS SUPPORTED ENTIRELY BY NATURAL REPRODUCTION. SMALLMOUTH ABUNDANCE AND SIZE SEEM TO BE ACCEPTABLE. NO SMALLMOUTH BASS WERE TAKEN IN THE 1970 AND 1978 ASSESSMENTS. THE YELLOW PERCH POPULATION APPEARS TO BE TOO SMALL TO PROVIDE A GOOD FORAGE BASE FOR GAMEFISH.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Ham?

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

Is there public access at Ham?

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

How deep is Ham?

Ham has a maximum depth of 40 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Ham last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ham is from 1998. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.