East

Itasca County

Near Spring Lake (Itasca)

DOW: 31079800

WalleyeGood · 70Northern PikeGood · 69Yellow PerchGood · 50

A 111-acre lake near Spring Lake (Itasca) in Itasca County — best known for walleye and pike. Last surveyed 2008.

Fish Species (8)

Walleye

Good · 70

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

23.0"

Avg Weight

4.72 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye100% keeper-size (15"+)

All keeper-sizeLargest sampled 25"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	1.25	23.0"	4.72 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

21.6"

Avg Weight

2.40 lbs

Catch rate: 10.5 per gill net · typical 4.8–12.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike27% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 73%Largest sampled 31"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	1.67	21.6"	2.53 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 2008	10.50	21.6"	2.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.25	-	1.50 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.0"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	0.17	8.0"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 15, 1985	1.25	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.6"

Avg Weight

0.34 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 1–4.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie13% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 87%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	1.50	7.6"	0.35 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 2008	1.50	7.6"	0.34 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	0.75	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 45

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.0"

Avg Weight

0.02 lbs

Catch rate: 16.5 per trap net · typical 2.8–10.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 4"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	16.50	3.0"	0.02 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 14, 2008	4.25	3.0"	0.03 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 15, 1985	5.50	-	0.03 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 36

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 37.3 per trap net · typical 8.3–50.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill3% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 97%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	15.75	4.3"	0.05 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 14, 2008	37.33	4.3"	0.08 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (2)

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

White Sucker

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

16.7"

Avg Weight

2.17 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	0.75	16.7"	2.17 lbs	Standard gill nets

Golden Shiner

Poor · 16

Small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008

Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.0"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.1–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 14, 2008	0.17	4.0"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

July 14, 2008East Lake is an 83-acre lake in northern Itasca County near Spring Lake, MN. The lake has an earthen public access on the south shore with limited par…

East Lake is an 83-acre lake in northern Itasca County near Spring Lake, MN. The lake has an earthen public access on the south shore with limited parking. Most of shoreline is owned by the US Forest Service and is undeveloped. Primary fish species include northern pike and panfish. The northern pike catch rate was 10.5/net, which was within the expected range of similar lakes. Size structure was good for fish up to 24 inches, however few fish exceeded this length. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 24 inches by age five. Bluegill catch rate was 37.3/trap net, which was also within the expected range for similar lakes. The most common length range sampled were fish between 3 to 4 inches, however fish up to 8 inches were sampled. Growth was slightly faster than the lake class average with fish growing to around 7 inches by age 6. Black crappie gill net catch rate was 1.5/net and the trap net catch rate was also 1.5/net. Size structure was good with fish up to 11 inches sampled. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish growing to 8 inches by age 5. Five walleye were sampled in gill nets that varied in length from 22 to 26 inches. Walleye were not aged in this assessment, but are likely the result of natural reproduction. Other species sampled include golden shiner, pumpkinseed sunfish, white sucker and yellow perch. East Lake is only 83 acres and because of its small size is especially susceptible to angler overhavest. Anglers should consider harvesting less than the statewide limits and harvest the smaller to medium sized fish and release larger ones.

July 15, 1985EAST LAKE HAS A HIGH POPULATION OF NORTHERN PIKE AND SMALL PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH.

EAST LAKE HAS A HIGH POPULATION OF NORTHERN PIKE AND SMALL PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in East?

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

Is there public access at East?

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

How deep is East?

East has a maximum depth of 30 feet and a mean depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in East last surveyed?

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