Phoebe

Phoebe Lake is located 20 miles north of Schroeder in the BWCAW. The lake is part of the "Girl Chain" and has two accesses, a portage trail from Grace Lake on the NE end of the lake, and a canoe route from Knight Lake on the NW end. Entry points would be either Sawbill or Kawishiwi Lakes. Getting to the lake, like many in the BWCAW, is a rather arduous journey due to the amount of lakes and portages involved. Contact the USFS Tofte district or check the Superior NF website for information and regulations on the BWCAW. The lake has an area of 610 acres and a maximum depth of 25 feet. The fish community consists of Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. A standard survey was completed in 2018 to update the status of the fish community, evaluate current management goals, and provide information to direct future management activities. The Walleye gill net catch in twelve sets of 4.3/net was slightly less than average when compared to other similar lakes, but still within the normal range. Average weight and length was 1.3 pounds and 15.1 inches. The largest fish sampled was 22.5 inches long. Walleye recruitment was sporadic with eight year classes sampled and fish as old as 12 years. The 2014 year class was by far the strongest representing 53% of the catch. Growth was fast by area standards. The Northern Pike gill net catch of 1.4/net was slightly lower than average when compared to other similar lakes, but again within the normal range. Average weight and length was 2.3 pounds and 21.9 inches. The largest fish sampled was 27 inches long. Northern Pike recruitment was sporadic with seven year classes sampled and 2013 and 2014 the strongest year classes. Smallmouth Bass gill net catch of 0.2/net was slightly low and the average weight was 1.1 pounds. Angling was also used to gain four more samples. The largest fish sampled was 15.4 inches long. With so few samples nothing can be said about growth rate or year classes. White Sucker gill net catch of 4.8/net with an average weight of 2.1 pounds were both about average. The largest fish sampled was 23.7 inches long. Other species sampled were Blacknose Shiner, Common Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pearl Dace, Northern Redbelly Dace, and Yellow Perch in special mini ultra-light trap nets.

Phoebe Lake is in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) approximately 20 miles northwest of Tofte, MN. The lake is on a heavily traveled canoe route and has nine maintained campsites. The fish sampled in DNR nets in 1998 were walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and white sucker. Walleye were sampled in below average numbers compared to other lakes of this type. The fish ranged from 10.7 inches to 17.9 inches with approximately 50% of the fish being between 16.0 inches and 17.9 inches. Northern pike numbers are about average for this type of lake with an average size that is above average. Northern pike range from 14.3 inches to 31.3 inches (7.5 pounds) and averaged just over 3 pounds each. The smallmouth bass catch in the 1998 survey is considered normal both in numbers and size. The bass that were collected ranged from 7.8 inches to 13.0 inches and averaged 11.7 inches.

Walleye have developed a self-sustaining population since the initial introduction in 1966. Due to the remoteness of the lake no management plans are being made at the present time. Periodic test netting will be done to keep abreast of the population trends.

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

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

Phoebe has a maximum depth of 25 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Phoebe is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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