Bad Axe

Bad Axe Lake is located in central Hubbard County, north of the town of Emmaville. Bad Axe has a surface area of 271 acres and a maximum depth of 39 feet. There is no public access. Bad Axe provides angling opportunities for northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Bad Axe is in lake class 25. Other area lakes in this same class include Big Mantrap, Little Mantrap, Eagle, Island, Belle Taine, and Spider. Present and past surveys have shown that the northern pike population in Bad Axe fluctuates from low to moderate numbers. Northern pike abundance (2.0 pike/gillnet) was below the range "typical" for this lake class. Surveys from 1982 to 2000 had higher northern pike abundance, with gillnet catch rates fluctuating within the range "typical" for this lake class. Anglers will find that the proportion of large northern pike (> 28.0 inches) is high when compared to other area lakes. Northern pike exhibited fast growth rates when compared to other class 25 lakes. Muskellunge are present in Bad Axe and have been sampled in past surveys in low numbers. Bad Axe was stocked with muskellunge by the DNR from 1950 to 1969. Private, permitted stockings of muskellunge were done in 2002, 2005, and 2007 by the lake association. Success of these muskellunge stockings is unknown, as angler reports have been very limited. Bad Axe has an abundant panfish population of black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Present and past surveys have shown black crappie and bluegill abundance to be above the range "typical" for this lake class. Anglers will find a healthy black crappie population with fish in the 9-12 inch size range. Bluegill and pumpkinseed tend to run smaller, with fish in the 6-8 inch size range. Yellow perch are also abundant in Bad Axe; however, average size is small (7.2 inches). A few larger yellow perch are present with perch measured up to 11.3 inches. Both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are present in Bad Axe, with largemouth bass being the more abundant of the two species. No specialized sampling for bass such as spring electrofishing has been conducted on Bad Axe. Largemouth bass catch rates with gillnets and trapnets are above the range "typical" for this lake class, similar to past surveys. Smallmouth bass were not sampled in 2010, but have been sampled in past surveys in low numbers. Bad Axe has good water quality, submerged and emergent vegetation that provides excellent habitat for bass. Other species sampled included high numbers of white sucker, and moderate numbers of rock bass and yellow bullhead. Brown bullhead were sampled in low numbers.

Bad Axe Lake is located in central Hubbard County near the town of Emmaville. The lake surface area is 271 acres with a maximum depth of 39 feet. There is no public access. Bad Axe supports good populations of northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Minnesota lakes are classified into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Bad Axe is in Lake Class 25. Other area lakes in this class include neighboring Big Mantrap, Little Mantrap, Eagle, Island, Belle Taine, and Spider. The 2000 netting showed northern pike at their highest recorded abundance ever, 7.8/gill net, which is at the upper end of the normal range for this lake class. Increased northern pike abundance often leads to smaller average sizes, but the average in Bad Axe Lake was 4 pounds. Two 30-inch muskie were sampled in gill nets. This species, native to Bad Axe Lake, declined in number when other gamefish species such as northern pike were introduced in the early 1900's. A stocking program from 1950-1969 attempted to restore the muskie fishery, but was discontinued due to lack of a public access. It is likely a few breeding muskie are present, but muskie fry are highly vulnerable to predation and competition from other species. Bad Axe is still a designated muskie lake. Black crappie were abundant in trap nets. Historically this species has been abundant in Bad Axe lake. The average length was 8.7 inches, with good numbers up to 13" present. Both bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish were abundant, although there were few individuals of either species above eight inches. Growth rates of bluegill were good, so it does not appear that sunfish populations are "stunted" despite their high numbers. Selective harvest of larger sunfish by anglers may account for the scarcity of larger individuals. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are both present in Bad Axe. Numbers of largemouth bass seen in trap nets were higher than average; most of these bass were eight inches or less, but trap nets do not catch larger bass very well. The bay on the southwest side of the lake provides largemouth bass habitat while the main lake basin has enough rocky shoreline to attract smallmouth bass. Other species present in Bad Axe Lake include brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, golden shiner, rock bass, white sucker, and yellow perch.

The Northern Pike population appears average for this area with an average weight of about 5 lbs. each. The Walleye population is quite low at 0.25 per gilllnet, average for this area is 4.09 per gillnet. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed Sunfish numbers are quite high and they appear to be stunted. Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch and Black Crappie populations appear to be above normal levels.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Pumpkinseed in Bad Axe. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Bad Axe. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Bad Axe has a maximum depth of 39 feet and a mean depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bad Axe is from 2010. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Yes — Bad Axe has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.