Mallen Pit

Mallen Mine Lake is a small former open pit iron mine located between Riverton and Ironton that has filled with water. The maximum water depth is over 80 ft and the water is very clear with visibility to a depth of nearly 30 ft. A carry-in access is located on County Road 127. Mallen is a designated stream trout lake. Designated stream trout lakes have additional angling regulations. Be sure to consult the current Minnesota Fishing Regulations book for regulations, seasons, and possession limits before fishing designated trout waters. The paved Cuyuna Lakes State Trail is located just north of the lake. A survey of the fish community in Mallen Mine Lake was conducted in August 2012. The total catch in the gill nets was an average of 28.5 fish per set which was moderately high compared to other Cuyuna mine pit lakes where average gill net catches have ranged from 2 to 63 total fish per net in recent surveys (median of 10.5 fish per net). Most of the gill net catch was bluegills. Only one 10-inch brook trout was captured and that was an age-1 fish from the early April 2012 stocking of 406 yearling Minnesota Wild strain fish. Other species captured in the gill nets include largemouth bass and northern pike. The trap net catch was also mostly bluegills with most measuring from 5 to 8 inches long. The dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles were measured on August 14, 2012 to monitor habitat for trout. Optimal temperature and oxygen conditions for brook trout (10-16 C, greater than or equal to 5 ppm DO) occurred in about 11 vertical ft, from a depth of about 24 ft through nearly 34 ft. Oxygen was adequate for trout (greater than 5 ppm) down to a depth of 43 ft where the temperature was 6.9 C. Trout stocking began in 1988 and usually about 400 yearling brook trout have been stocked each spring.

Northern pike, bluegill and pumpkinseed catch rate indicate average size populations since these catches all fell between the first and third quartile of the range around the region 3 median. Northern pike aged (only 4) showed age classes 1 and 2 and which exhibited good growth. It is likely that these fish were stocked by locals rather than produced from within the basin so the growth may or may not be characteristic of fish in this lake. Bluegills aged (25 of 25 fish) showed age classes 3-9, of which 4 and 5 being dominant year classes. Growth of bluegills is slow.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluegill, Brook Trout, and Northern Pike in Mallen Pit. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Mallen Pit has a maximum depth of 95 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Mallen Pit is from 2012. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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