McKewen

Itasca County

Near Marcell

DOW: 31068200

Northern PikeGood · 73BluegillGood · 56Black CrappieAverage · 38

A 26-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1997.

Fish Species (4)

Northern Pike

Good · 73

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

14.3"

Avg Weight

1.11 lbs

Catch rate: 9.3 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike25% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 75%Largest sampled 32"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 4, 1997	9.33	14.3"	1.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1997	0.89	14.3"	0.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 56

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.3"

Avg Weight

0.45 lbs

Catch rate: 0.89 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill63% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 37%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 4, 1997	0.89	7.3"	0.45 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 38

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 4.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–10.6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie6% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 94%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 4, 1997	2.00	5.6"	0.04 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 4, 1997	4.00	5.6"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Golden Shiner

Average · 36

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.6"

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 4, 1997	0.56	5.6"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

August 4, 1997McKewen Lake is primarily a northern pike/panfish lake that is located in the Chippewa National Forest. Northern pike sampled with gill nets had a cat…

McKewen Lake is primarily a northern pike/panfish lake that is located in the Chippewa National Forest. Northern pike sampled with gill nets had a catch rate (9.3/set) that exceeded the expected range for this type of lake. The mean length for sampled northern pike was 15.6 inches, with a length range from 9.9 to 32.4 inches. The mean weight was 1.1 pounds. Black crappie were sampled with trap nets, and had a mean catch rate (4.0/set) that was within the expected range. The mean length was 6.2 inches, with a length range from 3.7 to 11.0 inches. Other species caught include: bluegill, golden shiner, and tadpole madtom. McKewen Lake provides anglers with a unique opportunity to fish a lake that receives little fishing pressure and maintains its undeveloped shoreline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in McKewen?

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

Is there public access at McKewen?

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

How deep is McKewen?

McKewen has a maximum depth of 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in McKewen last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in McKewen is from 1997. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.