Gale

Gale Lake is located 9 miles southeast of Bigfork, MN in the Big Fork River watershed. The lake has a surface area of 73 acres and a maximum depth of 50 feet. Gale Lake is in ecological lake class #28. Other area lakes in this class include Arrowhead, Batson and Raddison Lakes. Gale Lake has no developed public access. The northern pike gill-net catch rate in the 2008 assessment was 4.0/net. This is similar to the lake class average (5.0/net) and equal to the catch from the only previous assessment in 1979. Northern pike size structure was fairly poor. Sampled pike ranged from 13.8 to 26.6 inches, with a mean length of 20.6 inches. Mean back-calculated length at age was similar to the statewide average for all ages. The trap-net catch rate for bluegill in 2008 was moderate at 13.0/net. This is slightly below the lake class average and similar to the 1979 catch rate of 10.0/net. Bluegill size structure was relatively good in 2008; sampled bluegill ranged from 3.1 to 9.1 inches, with a mean length of 6.5 inches. Mean back-calculated length at age was similar to the lake class average for ages 1 and 2, and over 115% of the statewide average for ages 3-6. Black crappie were sampled at 2.0/trap net, above the lake class average of 1.3/net and substantially higher than the 1979 catch rate (0.5/net). Size structure was modest; sampled crappie ranged from 7.8 to 10.8 inches, with a mean length of 9.2 inches. Ages 3 through 7 were represented in the sample. Mean back-calculated length at age was similar to the lake class average for all ages. As in the prior assessment, net catches for yellow perch were very low in 2008. Only four perch were captured in gill nets for a catch rate of 1.3/net. Only one was captured in a trap net for a catch rate of 0.2/net. These catch rates are below the lake class normal range but similar to the previous survey. Other species sampled included pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass and yellow bullhead. Numerous small largemouth bass were observed in the shallows, though none were captured in the assessment nets.

Fish population is within normal limits for this type of lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed in Gale. 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 Gale. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Gale has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Gale is from 2008. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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