Sea Gull
A 3,958-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County — best known for walleye and trout. Last surveyed 2024.
Fish Species (8)
Walleye
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991
Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.4 per gill net · typical 0.6–9.7 for a lake like this
Size from the Jun 2024 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2024 | 0.33 | 17.8" | 6.09 lbs |
| Jun 24, 2024 | 3.00 | 17.8" | 2.29 lbs |
| Jun 14, 2021 | 4.00 | 16.1" | 2.01 lbs |
Lake Trout
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991
Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.8 per gill net · typical 0.8–4.3 for a lake like this
Size from the Jun 2024 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2024 | 1.75 | 17.4" | 2.16 lbs |
| Jun 14, 2021 | 1.00 | 16.1" | 1.88 lbs |
| Jun 18, 2018 | 0.58 | 17.9" | 2.29 lbs |
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991
Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.3–1 for a lake like this
Size from the Jun 2024 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2024 | 0.19 | 21.1" | 1.90 lbs |
| Jun 24, 2024 | 1.17 | 21.1" | 2.36 lbs |
| Jun 14, 2021 | 0.50 | 21.5" | 1.03 lbs |
Black Crappie
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2024
Catch rate: 0.19 per trap net · typical 1.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2024 | 0.19 | 9.7" | 0.65 lbs |
| Jun 14, 2021 | 0.25 | 8.0" | 0.32 lbs |
| Jun 18, 2018 | 0.08 | 5.0" | 0.10 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1988
Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.04 per gill net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 1994 | 0.09 | 7.0" | 0.18 lbs |
| Jul 11, 1988 | 0.04 | - | 0.13 lbs |
Green Sunfish
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2021
Catch rate: 0.06 per trap net · typical 0.1–0.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 14, 2021 | 0.06 | 4.0" | 0.06 lbs |
| Jun 18, 2018 | 0.06 | 5.0" | 0.09 lbs |
| Jun 30, 2003 | 0.11 | 4.0" | 0.07 lbs |
Smallmouth Bass
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2024
Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2024 | 0.25 | 14.3" | 1.92 lbs |
| Jun 14, 2021 | 0.33 | 12.8" | 1.42 lbs |
| Jun 18, 2018 | 0.42 | 13.3" | 1.90 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
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991
Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.9 per gill net · typical 1.7–5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 24, 2024 | 1.17 | 20.4" | 3.85 lbs |
| Jun 24, 2024 | 0.12 | 20.4" | 5.90 lbs |
| Jun 14, 2021 | 2.50 | 19.3" | 3.49 lbs |
Biologist Notes
August 8, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Sea Gull Lake on August 8th, 2024, to evaluate the quantit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Sea Gull Lake on August 8th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Lake Whitefish and Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 88.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 45.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration stayed greater than 3.0 mg/L at 88.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 42.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because dissolved oxygen remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. In this case, the minimum temperature, 7.2 degrees C (45.0 degrees F), was substituted as TDO3. TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 1977 and 2018 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1977. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 8, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Sea Gull Lake on August 8th, 2024, to evaluate the quantit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Sea Gull Lake on August 8th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Lake Whitefish and Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 88.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 45.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration stayed greater than 3.0 mg/L at 88.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 42.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because dissolved oxygen remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. In this case, the minimum temperature, 7.2 degrees C (45.0 degrees F), was substituted as TDO3. TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 1977 and 2018 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1977. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 8, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Sea Gull Lake on August 8th, 2024, to evaluate the quantit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Sea Gull Lake on August 8th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Lake Whitefish and Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 88.6 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 45.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration stayed greater than 3.0 mg/L at 88.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 42.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because dissolved oxygen remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. In this case, the minimum temperature, 7.2 degrees C (45.0 degrees F), was substituted as TDO3. TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 1977 and 2018 also indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1977. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Sea Gull?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch in Sea Gull. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Sea Gull?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Sea Gull. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Sea Gull?
Sea Gull has a maximum depth of 145 feet and a mean depth of 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Sea Gull last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sea Gull is from 2024.
Does Sea Gull have any invasive species?
Yes — Sea Gull has confirmed spiny waterflea. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.
More lakes in Cook County
View allLake Details
- Surface Area
- 3,957.72 acres
- Max Depth
- 145 ft
- Mean Depth
- 36 ft
- Shoreline
- 74.97 mi
- Public Access
- Yes
Invasive Species Alert
- spiny waterflea
Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to prevent spread.