Little Snow

Little Snow Lake is located in a remote part of western Cook County approximately 17 miles northwest of Tofte. The lake has an area of 30 acres and a maximum recorded depth of 11 feet. Access to Little Snow Lake is difficult. From the Sawbill Trail, proceed 4.5 miles west on Cook County Road 3 to a two track road that heads south roughly 1.5 miles before dead ending in an old logging landing. The first 1.2 miles of this road are suitable for a high clearance vehicle with four wheel drive, but the last 0.3 miles are narrow and brushy, best suited for an ATV. From the old logging landing, a trail proceeds a little over a tenth of a mile to Big Snow Lake. There is a 0.2 mile long portage trail from the bay on the south shore of Big Snow Lake to the north shore of Little Snow Lake. The portage trail is moderately steep as it goes up and over the divide between the Hudson Bay and Lake Superior drainages; it is quite brushy and somewhat difficult to spot from Big Snow Lake as use is light. Walleye fry were stocked sporadically in Little Snow Lake up until 2010 when it was decided based on survey data that the Walleye population should be able to sustain itself without stocking. The purpose of the 2017 survey was to assess the state of the sportfish populations in Little Snow Lake following the end of Walleye stocking. The Walleye catch rate was well above average when compared to similar lakes in the area. Average length was 16 inches and average weight was 1.4 pounds with the longest Walleye sampled just short of 20 inches long. Walleye growth in Little Snow Lake was average when compared to other area lakes. A total of 12 year classes were observed in the sample with the oldest fish estimated to be age-18. Stocking occurred in just 2 of the years that produced a year class identified during the 2017 survey. Recruitment appears to be consistent with fish spread over a wide range of year classes. These results indicate the Walleye population sampled in 2017 was largely the result of natural reproduction. The catch rate for Northern Pike during the 2017 survey was below average when compared to similar lakes in the area. The average length of Northern Pike was only slightly over 19 inches with the longest fish sampled measuring just 21 inches. These results are similar to previous assessments and indicate that the lake continues to support a small population of little Northern Pike. The only other species sampled during this survey were Blacknose Shiner and Yellow Perch. Although no adults were captured in any sampling gear, young of the year Yellow Perch were sampled, which suggests a small but naturally reproducing population inhabits the lake. Little Snow Lake is a remote, scenic lake and anglers have to work very hard to get to this destination. The reward for their determination is abundant Walleye with plenty of fish in the 16 to 20 inch range at the time of the 2017 survey. Northern Pike and Yellow Perch are also present in the lake, but are likely of little interest to anglers due to the low numbers and small sizes.

The walleye population in Little Snow Lake was above average for the lake class in 2008. The average length was 16.4 inches; the largest walleye sampled was 20.8 inches. Northern pike numbers were below average for this lake class in 2008. The average length of northern pike was 23.8 inches the largest fish sampled was 33.6 inches. The present walleye and northern pike populations should provide good fishing opportunities for anglers who want to fish off the beaten path. Yellow perch were present in good numbers in 2008, but the population appears to fluctuate dramatically and the size is below average. Access to Little Snow Lake is difficult. The logging road off of Cook County #3, the start of the adventure, is 4.5 miles west of the Sawbill Trail. This logging road goes south, about 1.4 miles to a point that it can no longer be driven, ending in a clear-cut area. This road is in poor condition and requires a four-wheel-drive/ high-clearance vehicle most of the summer. There is an unmarked trail, approximately 0.1 mile, to Big Snow Lake. Travel across Big Snow Lake to the small bay on southwest shore; then a portage 0.2 mile over a hump of land to Little Snow Lake. This is a user maintained route, so be prepared for the unexpected. Another access route, portage from Hog Lake, is overgrown and difficult to find.

Walleye were sampled in above-average numbers, as they have in all the assessments conducted since they were introduced in 1988. The walleye in this assessment averaged 15.0 inches (1.1 pounds) and ranged in size from 9.6 inches to 17.8 inches. Walleye fry have been stocked in several different years, and were stocked as recently as 1998. Seventy-five percent of the walleye collected in 2003 were from the 1998 year class.Little Snow Lake is a remote lake that is accessible by a 1000 foot unmarked portage from Big Snow Lake. The road leading to the trail to Big Snow Lake is very rough and suitable for high clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles only.

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

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

Little Snow has a maximum depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Snow is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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