Waboose

Waboose Lake is located in southern Hubbard County, 6.5 miles north of Nevis. Waboose Lake has a surface area of 175 acres and a maximum depth of 32 feet. Waboose is a relatively shallow lake with over 80% of the lake area less than 15 feet deep. The shoreline of Waboose is undeveloped, as the lake lies entirely within the Paul Bunyan State Forest. A DNR-owned earthen public access is located on the northwest shore of the lake on a forest road that comes off Inner Forest Road. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Waboose is in Lake Class 35. Class 35 lakes are generally shallow with very high littoral area (less than 15 feet deep) and are very irregularly shaped. Other class 35 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Middle Crooked, Crystal, Frontenac, and Pickerel. Waboose Lake provides multi species opportunities to the angler for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and limited numbers of Walleye and Yellow Perch. Black Crappie and Bluegill numbers have fluctuated in the past. Black Crappie numbers were average compared to similar lakes while Bluegill numbers were lower than comparable lakes. Black Crappies were on the smaller side with most fish under 8 inches, with fish up to 10.4 inches measured. Bluegills also on the smaller side with an average of 5.5 inches, with some fish up to 7.5 inches measured. Northern Pike can be found in moderate numbers. The average Northern Pike length was 23 inches and 2.6 pounds, with fish measured up to 34.5 inches. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Waboose. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

Waboose Lake is located in southern Hubbard County, 6.5 miles north of Nevis. Waboose Lake has a surface area of 175 acres and a maximum depth of 32 feet. Waboose is a relatively shallow lake with over 80% of the lake area less than 15 feet deep. The shore line of Waboose is undeveloped, as the lake lies entirely within the Paul Bunyan State Forest. An earthen public access is located on the northwest end of the lake off of a forest road. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Waboose is in Lake Class 35. Class 35 lakes have a very high area less than 15 feet deep and are very irregularly shaped. Other class 35 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Middle Crooked, Crystal, Frontenac, and Pickerel. Waboose Lake provides multi species opportunities to the angler for Largemouth Bass, Panfish, Northern Pike, and limited numbers of Walleye and Yellow Perch. Largemouth Bass were sampled in much lower numbers than recent surveys, but had a larger average size. Spring electrofishing sampled bass from 9.7 to 19.5 inches in length. The summer bass had an average length of 14.8 inches, with fish sampled up to 17.9 inches. Black Crappie and Bluegill numbers have fluctuated in the past, and the 2014 catch rates were near average. Black Crappie average length was 8.7 inches with the largest 13.7 inches. Bluegills had an average length of 4.7 inches, with the largest 8.7 inches. These panfish provide great angling opportunities with a number of Black Crappies over 10 inches and Bluegills over 6 inches. Northern Pike abundance was the highest since they were first sampled in 1999. The average Northern Pike length was 21.5 inches, with the largest 30.2 inches. There were very few Walleyes sampled, but sizes were large with an average length of 24.4 inches and all fish sampled over 22 inches. Yellow Perch are generally small for anglers with an average length of 6.4 inches and the lengths ranged from 5.8  8.0 inches. These Yellow Perch provide forage for the Walleye and Northern Pike in the lake. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Waboose. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

Waboose Lake is located seven miles north of Nevis in Hubbard County. Waboose has a surface area of 172 acres and a maximum depth of 32 feet. Waboose is a relatively shallow lake with over 80% of the lake area less than 15 feet deep. The shore line of Waboose is undeveloped, as the lake lies entirely within the Paul Bunyan State Forest. A state-owned public access with an earthen ramp is located on the west shore of the lake. Waboose is a popular fishing lake for largemouth bass, panfish, northern pike, as well as having a bonus walleye population. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Waboose is in lake class 35. Other area lakes in this same classification include: Middle Crooked, Crystal, Frontenac, and Pickerel. The fish population in Waboose has changed significantly since the initial survey in 1962. Prior to 1985, the fish population in Waboose consisted primarily of walleye, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and white sucker. Panfish populations have been increasing since the late 1980's and Waboose currently has good numbers of black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Northern pike were never sampled in earlier surveys, and it was not until 1996 that anglers reported catching them. The 1999 survey was the first time that northern pike were sampled in the survey nets. Waboose supports an abundant largemouth bass population. Excellent water quality, aquatic vegetation cover, and spawning substrate provide excellent habitat for largemouth bass. Largemouth bass were sampled in high numbers during the spring electrofishing survey (53 bass/hour). Anglers will find good numbers of bass in the 12-15 inch size range. Panfish abundance was within the range "typical" for this lake class. Anglers will find black crappie to be the best option, with fish in the 9-11 inch size range. Size of bluegill and pumpkinseed tend to run small, with few fish over 7 inches in length. The bluegill population is limited by slow growth rates. Northern pike abundance (8.5 pike/gillnet) was within the range "typical" for this lake class. Sampled northern pike had an average length and weight of 23.3 inches and 2.7 pounds, with pike measured up to 32.3 inches. The number of larger pike sampled (> 28.0 inches) was low when compared to other area lakes. Walleye abundance (2.3 walleye/gillnet) was down from past surveys. Sampled walleye were large-sized, ranging in size from 22.5 to 27.5 inches. Smaller walleye were missing in the sample, suggesting there are some missing year classes of walleye. Waboose is stocked annually with walleye fry (145,000 fry).

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed in Waboose. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Waboose has a maximum depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Waboose is from 2024.

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