Devils

Devils Lake is a small (234 acre), shallow basin located in northwestern Douglas County near Brandon, Minnesota. Water quality is high and aquatic vegetation is common. Water clarity was approximately 11.0 feet at the time of the July survey. One public access is located on the northern shoreline just off Devils Lake Road. Walleye catch rates (3.3/gill net) exceed the statewide average of similar lakes (2.8/gill net). Average size was 16.8 inches and 1.7 pounds. The largest Walleye was 22.6 inches. Growth rates appear moderate, allowing younger Walleye to reach desirable lengths in three to four years. Northern Pike (5.5/gill net) remain abundant in Devils Lake. Over 70% of all surveyed pike were less than 21.0 inches in length. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the liberalized pike harvest regulation (anglers are able to keep up to 10 pike with no more than two fish longer than 26 inches; all fish from 22-26 inches must be released). Increased harvest may improve growth rates and average size of Northern Pike. Electrofishing efforts collected 91 Largemouth Bass in 2021. Average size was good (12.5 inches), with several individuals exceeding 18.0 inches. The largest bass surpassed 20.0 inches. Bluegill are common, but average length was modest (6.5 inches). Maximum length was 9.2 inches in 2021. Growth rates of Bluegill are moderate and likely approximate similar lakes in Minnesota. Seven-year-old Bluegill averaged 7.6 inches. Similar to previous surveys, Black Crappie are present, but not highly abundant (1.2/gill net). Individuals averaged 9.3 inches, with the largest exceeding 10.5 inches. Yellow Perch are not common in Devils Lake. Other species recorded in the 2021 lake survey included Common Carp, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed and Yellow bullhead. The next lake survey is scheduled for 2027. Devils Lake is designated as infested with Zebra Mussels. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to other lakes.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2016 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 10 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Devils Lake. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Chippewa River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Eleven species were collected during this survey, indicating a relatively simple nearshore fish community. Two species (Banded Killifish and Iowa Darter) were considered "intolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Devils Lake.

Devils Lake is a 234-acre basin located in northeastern Douglas County near Brandon, Minnesota. The lake has a maximum depth of 35.0 feet and estimated average depth of 12.0 feet. Devils Lake is connected to Big Chippewa and Little Chippewa lakes by non-navigable channels. One public access is located on the northern shoreline of Devils Lake just off Devils Lake Road. A standardized fish community assessment was completed on Devils Lake, July 27-30, 2015. A combination of six gill nets and nine trap nets were used. An electrofishing survey was also completed in early May to sample the Largemouth Bass population. Walleyes proved to be moderately abundant. The gill net catch rate of 4.8-fish/net was lower than some prior surveys but is within expectations for lakes similar to Devils Lake. Walleye captures averaged 14.7 inches. The largest capture measured 26.4 inches. Walleyes grow well in Devils Lake and in response, 50% of Walleyes exceeded 15.0 inches in length. Twelve percent of Walleyes exceeded 20.0 inches. Northern Pike continue to be abundant. Gill net catches averaged 8.3-fish/net. Most gill net captures (80%) were less than 21.0 inches in length. The lake does support a few larger pike. The largest pike measured 32.5 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest surplus small pike to improve growth rates and size of Northern Pike and increase survival of stocked Walleyes. A single trip around the 3.2-mile shoreline with the electrofishing boat resulted in the capture of 99 Largemouth Bass. Length at capture ranged from 5.0 to 19.1 inches, with average length being 12.3 inches. Approximately 20% of bass collected exceeded 15.0 inches. Panfish populations proved reasonably healthy. Bluegill catches averaged 22.0-fish/trap net, which exceeds the median catch rate for similar lakes. Bluegills grow well in Devils Lake and nearly 50% of all Bluegill captures exceeded 6.0 inches. The largest Bluegill caught during the survey measured 8.7 inches. Black Crappie catches were limited. Trap net and gill net catches averaged only 1.0-fish/net. The low catch rate was consistent with preceding survey findings and was anticipated in late-summer surveys where crappies are difficult to sample. Age distribution of Black Crappie captures extended to age 6. Due to the presence of older fish in the population, over 25% of captures exceeded 10.0 inches in length. Devils Lake does not support a Yellow Perch fishery. No Yellow Perch have been captured in the last two surveys. Yellow Bullheads are moderately abundant and the population can support quality fishing. Those bullheads captured in trap nets averaged 11.0 inches in length and 0.75 pounds.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, Black Crappie, and Bluegill in Devils. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Devils has a maximum depth of 35 feet and a mean depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Devils has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.