Feather

Feather Lake is a designated trout lake located about twelve miles north of Schroeder that is eight acres in size with a maximum depth of 24 feet. There is a carry in access 0.7 miles south of the Four Mile Grade (Forest Service 170) located at the end of Forest Service 170F. The access trail is about 100 yards long and includes a boardwalk over the bog fringe of the lake. Shore fishing is limited because of aquatic floating leaf vegetation that occurs around the perimeter of the lake, although anglers have established foot paths to areas that provide some opportunities. The lake is managed for Brook Trout and the current plan calls for 1,000 fingerling fish to be stocked annually in the fall. The catch from the 2021 survey revealed an abundant trout population with 49 fish sampled in a single gill net. Size of fish ranged from 7.6 to 13.4" with only 4% greater than 12" long and an average size of just 9.1" and 0.28 pounds. Fish from the three previous stocking events were identified in the catch, but only one age-3 fish was sampled. Creel data collected as part of the fisheries assessment found a good amount of use by anglers in the summer and winter. Results of the 2021 survey confirm that Feather Lake continues to provide excellent opportunities for anglers to catch Brook Trout. The lake will continue to be managed as a put-grow-take fishery into the foreseeable future through annual stocking although the size structure of the population will likely vary based on the amount of angler harvest and the success of stocked fish.

Feather Lake is a designated stream trout lake that is stocked annually with fingerling Brook Trout. A survey was completed in 2021 to monitor the amount of cool, well oxygenated habitat available for trout during the summer. Automated temperature loggers were suspended at depths of three, six, nine, and twelve feet below the surface over the deepest spot in the lake to record water temperatures hourly throughout the summer. In addition, temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected on several occasions to determine how deep well-oxygenated water occurred. Survey results indicated summer dissolved oxygen concentrations and water temperatures were not limiting factors in Feather Lake in 2021. Periods of stress are not uncommon in summer months, but the limited data collected to date suggests the lake currently maintains suitable habitat for stream trout throughout the open water season. Habitat conditions will continue to be monitored to evaluate the suitability of Feather Lake for stream trout management.

Feather Lake is a designated stream trout lake that is stocked annually with fingerling Brook Trout. A survey was completed in 2021 to monitor the amount of cool, well oxygenated habitat available for trout during the summer. Automated temperature loggers were suspended at depths of three, six, nine, and twelve feet below the surface over the deepest spot in the lake to record water temperatures hourly throughout the summer. In addition, temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected on several occasions to determine how deep well-oxygenated water occurred. Survey results indicated summer dissolved oxygen concentrations and water temperatures were not limiting factors in Feather Lake in 2021. Periods of stress are not uncommon in summer months, but the limited data collected to date suggests the lake currently maintains suitable habitat for stream trout throughout the open water season. Habitat conditions will continue to be monitored to evaluate the suitability of Feather Lake for stream trout management.

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

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

Feather has a maximum depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Feather is from 2021.

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