Bingshick

Bingshick Lake is a small, 45-acre lake with a maximum depth of 37 ft and is primarily managed for brook trout. Bingshick Lake lies entirely within the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness and is a part of the Rainy River Headwaters watershed. Access is difficult due to multiple portages from BWCAW entry point #52 (Round Lake) or an approximate 3.0-mile portage via the Kekekabic trail from the Gunflint Trail parking lot. In 2024, a standard survey was conducted using gillnets to assess the current fish community and evaluate the success of brook trout stocking efforts. The 2024 survey was the eighth survey conducted on Bingshick Lake since 1983, and the results were similar to previous surveys. The brook trout catch rate was above average and exceeded the 4.0 fish/net goal for the lake. Brook trout lengths ranged from 9.8 to 17.4 inches with an average length of 13.0 inches. The population was comprised of age two and four fish, with age four fish being larger than 14 inches. Growth rates were average compared to similar stocked brook trout lakes within the Grand Marais area. Bingshick Lake continues to provide the opportunity to catch memorable sized brook trout within the Grand Marais area that will likely satisfy anglers looking to catch larger fish. White sucker abundance has been slowly increasing in Bingshick Lake and were relatively high in the 2024 survey. White sucker lengths ranged from 6.7 to 18.7 inches. Continued increases in white sucker abundance may have adverse effects on the brook trout population within Bingshick Lake. Green sunfish were also present within the lake, although not large enough to be of interest to anglers. 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 to these pristine waters within this part of the state.

The brook trout catch was less than the average for the last five assessments of this lake, but within the usual range for area brook trout lakes. The average size of brook trout was large for the lake and the area. These results can be partially explained by the fact that the lake was not stocked in 2009, so no one-year-old brook trout were present. Growth rates of brook trout had been good. The five age-2 fish averaged 14.2 inches long, and the single age-3 fish was 19.5 inches long. Beginning in 2010, the lake will be stocked only in even years. As a result, beginning 2011, the summer population will consist of age-1 and age-3 fish in odd years, and age-2 and age-4 fish in even years. Age-4 brook trout are never abundant, and the species usually dies of natural causes before age 5.

Fair numbers of brook trout were present in the spring of 2007; however, two recent stockings had apparently failed. As a result, the population consisted of a few large four-year-old fish, and some much smaller fish from a 2006 stocking. It is unlikely any of the four-year-olds would survive for another year; by 2008, the population will likely consist of fair numbers of small (10-12 inch) brook trout, and little else.

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

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

Bingshick has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bingshick is from 2024.

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