Fulton

Fulton Lake is a small lake with a carry-in access located in the Superior National Forest east of Isabella in Lake County. The public access is off Forest Service 172 (Wanless Road) and has a rough trail of about a quarter mile long to the southwest corner of the lake. Although no formal creel data has been collected, anecdotal reports suggest the lake receives light use by anglers. Walleye and Northern Pike are the top predators in the fish community and provide anglers with opportunities to catch and harvest these popular species. The 2024 Walleye catch rate of 8.67 per gill net was within the normal range for similar lakes but the highest of five previous surveys of Fulton Lake. Privately purchased fingerling stocking was permitted in 2018, but a majority of the Walleye sampled in 2024 were younger fish that were naturally produced. Lengths ranged from 9 to 23 inches long with an average size of 17 inches long and a little less than two pounds. The Northern Pike catch rate of 3.67 per gill net indicates a population density within the normal range for the lake and similar to previous survey results. A review of historic records found pike rarely reach the sizes sought after by most anglers. This trend continued in 2024 with most of the pike sampled measuring about 20 inches long and weighing about two pounds. White Sucker and Yellow Perch are the primary forage species sampled in the lake and gill net catches were within the normal range compared to similar lakes. Blacknose Shiners and Golden Shiners were additional forage species sampled in 2024 that make up part of the nearshore fish community.

Access is a carry-in from the parking area (old gravel pit) off of USFS Road #172; take trail 0.25 miles to the southwest corner of the lake. Access is suitable for portage wheels, although it is rough and uneven. The 2009 walleye population in Fulton Lake was about average for the lake class. The average length was 19.5 inches and 71% of the catch was greater than 18 inches. Growth was much faster than other lakes in the Finland area. Three previous assessments were done on this lake; this was the highest catch on record. Northern pike numbers were slightly above average for the lake class with a catch of 2.7 fish per net. The average length was 21.8 inches with the largest fish measuring 24.1 inches. Three yellow perch were caught in trap nets with an average length of 5.7 inches. This was the lowest catch on record. In 1957, 141 black crappie yearlings were stocked into Fulton Lake. Black crappies were sampled in low numbers in the 1961, 1978, and 1993 investigations. While no black crappies were sampled in the 2009 lake survey, a self-sustaining population has existed since the initial introduction. Black crappies might still be found in low numbers in Fulton Lake.

Fulton Lake has a history of having low numbers of Walleye with the average size normally exceeding 2 lbs. The 1993 assessment again found low numbers of Walleye with an average size of 1.7 lbs. The Walleye population is being maintained thru natural reproduction. Northern Pike are present in average numbers and average about 2.5 lbs each. Fish up to 25" were sampled however Northern Pike in the 18"-19" range are most common. Test nets indicate Fulton Lake produces some quality size Black Crappie (greater than 14") however overall abundance of Black Crappie continues to be low.

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

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

Fulton has a maximum depth of 17.5 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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