Erskine

Erskine Lake is a small, designated stream trout lake, primarily managed for Splake and Rainbow Trout. The fisheries lake management plan (LMP) was last updated in 2019. The LMP goals were to provide a Splake fishery with a trap-net catch of at least 1.0/net with at least 25% of the sampled fish greater than 16 inches, and to provide a Rainbow Trout fishery with a trap-net catch near 0.1/net or a gill-net catch near 0.5/net, with age 2 fish present. To help attain these goals, yearling Rainbow Trout were stocked in 2021 and 2023, while fingerling Splake were fall stocked in even years (2020 and 2022). In 2023, the stocking strategy switched to spring stocking Rainbow Trout yearlings and fall stocking Splake fingerlings in the same year (odd years). This strategy should provide more consistent catchable-sized fish (i.e., Rainbow Trout available to anglers as fingerling Splake recruit the following year). The 2024 targeted survey was conducted to collect updated information on the fishery. Net locations and effort were similar to the previous survey. The Splake trap-net catch exceeded all previous surveys and surpassed the management goal. The majority of sampled Splake were within a relatively narrow range of lengths from 12.0 to 14.9 inches and averaged 12.5 inches, which did not meet the size structure goal. The single overnight gill-net set produced 41 Splake, a catch rate far exceeding any previous survey. Size structure was similar to the trap-net sample. The length-frequency distribution displayed three distinct peaks that would correlate to the three most recent stockings. Most fish were catchable size and should provide good angling opportunities in the next year. Rainbow Trout catches have typically been low. In 2024, the trap nets sampled three Rainbow Trout ranging from 14.2 to 15.7 inches. The catch rate of 0.2/net met the LMP goal. These were likely two-year old fish stocked in 2023 as yearlings. It is assumed angler harvest greatly reduces Rainbow Trout numbers in the first two seasons after stocking, resulting in lower-than-expected catches. Golden Shiners were the most numerous species sampled in the trap nets, with a higher catch rate than any previous survey. Lengths were mostly between 4.3 to 6.8 inches. The only other species sampled was White Sucker (two individuals).

Erskine Lake is a small designated stream trout lake, primarily managed for Rainbow Trout and Splake. The 2009 management plan goals were to provide a Rainbow Trout catch of at least 0.2/trap net and a Splake catch of at least 1.0/trap net with 25% of the fish larger than 16 inches. To help attain these goals, 2,000 Arlee strain yearling Rainbows were spring stocked in odd years since 2001 and 2,000 fingerling Splake were fall stocked in even years since 2002. The 2018 survey was one of three conducted to assess the alternate stocking strategy since the stocking plan changed. Net locations and effort were similar to the previous survey. The Splake trap net catch was comparable to catches from surveys since 2003, surpassing management goals. The majority of Splake caught were within a relatively narrow range of lengths, 11.8 to 15.7 inches, similar to previous surveys. These fish were age 2 and from the fall 2016 stocking. One fish was 21.1 inches, age 4 and from the 2014 stocking. Length frequency was below the management goal. The gill net catch was similar to previous surveys, as well as length frequency. The stocking rotation appears to give Splake an advantage. Being stocked as fall fingerlings, they are essentially the same size as yearling Rainbows that are stocked the following spring. They had the benefit of acclimation for approximately seven months during the winter prior to spring stocking. These fish are then better suited in the spring with an added advantage of approximately 17 months of a prior fallow period with no stocking. This extended period likely allows invertebrates to repopulate to a greater level, improving prey availability. Rainbow Trout catches have typically been low. Trap nets captured three trout, with lengths from 14.2 to 15.5 inches. These fish were age 2 but originating from the 2017 spring stocking. Rainbow Trout should make up a higher proportion of the stream trout catch. It is likely angler harvest is resulting in the lower than expected catches. Arlee strain tends to be fast growing and aggressive but not long lived. Their aggressive behavior is attractive to anglers, which ultimately limits how long these fish persist. Erskine Lake is popular a fishery and angler harvest is assumed to be high at times. Golden Shiner were the most numerous species captured in trap nets. The catch was within the range of past surveys. Lengths were mostly between 3.5 to 6.5 inches, though a couple of 8 inch individuals were caught. Brook Stickleback, Fathead Minnow and Northern Redbelly Dace were the only other species sampled.

Erskine Lake is a small 40-acre water body, located in northeastern Itasca County that has 40% of its surface area over water that is less than 15 feet deep and has a maximum depth of 56 feet. The lake has good water clarity as indicated by a 16 ft Secchi disk reading and low fertility. (Total Phosphorous = 0.010 ppm or 10 ppb). The morphology and suitable environmental conditions where good oxygen levels are present in a coldwater layer during the midsummer makes this lake an ideal "designated trout lake". Temperature and dissolved oxygen levels were measured during the most critical period in mid August (8/21/2008) when suitable levels for stream trout are at the most confining layer. The lake had developed a thermocline during the summer months where a layer of water temperatures between 18 and 29 feet dropped rapidly from the low 70s to the mid-forties. Water temperatures above the thermocline were about 74 degrees F that stream trout can tolerate for short periods while feeding. After feeding they are able to rest in water layers with more suitable water temperatures that contained sufficient dissolved oxygen. Dissolved oxygen levels actually increased from 7.8 ppm above the thermocline to 12.5 ppm in the colder water within the thermocline and starting decreasing at the bottom of the thermocline and became insufficient (<5.0ppm) below 28 feet of water. Rainbow trout have been stocked on a biennial schedule since proposed in the 2000 management plan. Since then rainbow trout have been stocked in the spring of 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007. Although rainbow trout were most recently stocked in May of 2007, 17 months previously, none were captured, indicating that each stocking is likely harvested the first year. The long-range goal for rainbow trout to provide a fishery that yields a catch rate of at least 0.2 fish/trap net was not achieved during this assessment. Fingerling splake also have been stocked biennially according to the 2000 lake management plan in the fall of 2002, 2004, and 2006. Splake from the 2006 stocking, two years survival in the lake, dominated the catch as 67 of the 69 splake caught in trap nets were 13 to 18 inches in length. The two larger splake that were between 22 and 23 inches in length and weighted approximately 4.5 lbs were determined to be survivors from the 2004 stocking,four years previously. The long term goal for splake of maintaining a catch rate of 1.0 fish/trap net where 25% are greater than 16 inches in length was achieved for this assessment. The CPUE for trap nets was 3.5 fish/trap net and a total of 81 splake were captured from both gear types and 20 fish or 25% exceeded 16 inches in length. Conditions within the lake seem to support good growth for splake. Splake from the net catches averaged about 15.0-16.0 inches and had attained a mean weight of 1.25 lbs. Although no statewide average are available for evaluating splake growth the splake from this assessment that were actually two and one/half year old fish (one-half year in the hatchery and two years in the lake) had exceeded the statewide average lengths for three- year-old rainbow trout, 12.8 inches, and three- year-old lake trout, 12.4 inches, by approximately 20% to 25%. Two minnow traps were also set to check availability of prey species. Species captured in order of their abundance included northern redbelly dace (45.0 /set), fathead minnow (7.5 /set), finescale dace (6.0 /set)), and brook stickleback (4.0 /set).

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

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

Erskine has a maximum depth of 56 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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