Powell
A 51-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County — best known for trout. Last surveyed 1992.
Fish Species (2)
Lake Trout
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1992
Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 1992 | 1.25 | - | 5.30 lbs |
| Jul 28, 1980 | 1.00 | - | 4.88 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
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1992
Last surveyed 1992 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 0.8–5.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 1992 | 5.25 | - | 0.59 lbs |
| Jul 28, 1980 | 9.75 | - | 0.41 lbs |
Biologist Notes
August 7, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Powell Lake on August 7, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quali…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Powell Lake on August 7, 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. 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, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 26.5 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 59.0 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 32.5 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 5.3 degrees C (41.5 degrees F). 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 in 1980 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat that year. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1992 also confirmed suitable conditions. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 1980, during the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 2.5 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 7, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Powell Lake on August 7, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quali…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Powell Lake on August 7, 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. 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, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 26.5 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 59.0 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 32.5 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 5.3 degrees C (41.5 degrees F). 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 in 1980 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat that year. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1992 also confirmed suitable conditions. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 1980, during the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 2.5 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 7, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Powell Lake on August 7, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quali…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Powell Lake on August 7, 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. 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, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 26.5 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 59.0 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 32.5 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 5.3 degrees C (41.5 degrees F). 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 in 1980 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat that year. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1992 also confirmed suitable conditions. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 1980, during the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 2.5 feet. 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 Powell?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout in Powell. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Powell?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Powell. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Powell?
Powell has a maximum depth of 75 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Powell last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Powell is from 1992. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Powell have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Powell in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
More lakes in Cook County
View allLake Details
- Surface Area
- 51.15 acres
- Max Depth
- 75 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.94 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed