Whitefish

Whitefish Lake is located 13.5 miles northwest of Tofte off the Whitefish Lake Road also called US Forest Service (USFS) Road 348. Walleye is the primary sportfish in the lake with Northern Pike and Yellow Perch also providing limited fisheries. The lake has a short carry down access, parking area, and three site USFS rustic campground on its northwest shore. Whitefish Lake also serves as the primary access point for the Timber Frear Loop Canoe Route, a USFS administered canoe route with portages connecting several lakes with backcountry campsites. There are several water access campsites on the lake in addition to those in the campground. A survey of Whitefish Lake was conducted during July of 2025 to update information on the sportfish populations and fish community. Whitefish Lake continues to support a self-sustaining, high-density Walleye population with the gill net catch during the 2025 survey being comparable to the long-term average for the lake. Walleye had an average length of 14 inches with 21% of the fish measuring 16 inches or longer. Reproduction in Whitefish Lake is successful most years and fish survive to old ages. The fish sampled ranged from age-2 to age-17 with only age-16 fish absent from the sample. The Walleye population in Whitefish Lake continues to provide anglers with good opportunities to harvest eater-sized fish, but because of the lake's relatively clear water, anglers are likely to have the best luck fishing in low-light conditions. Northern Pike are also present in the lake with a few being sampled during the 2025 survey; however, all the pike sampled measured less than 20 inches in length. Historic survey data indicate the pike population has maintained low abundance and small size structure for many years and is likely limited by the natural habitat found in the lake. While pike may be encountered on Whitefish Lake, due to low abundance and small sizes, this population will not be of interest to most anglers. Yellow Perch gill net catch was higher than normal relative to similar lakes and higher than the last couple surveys of Whitefish Lake. The average length of Perch during the 2025 survey was just under eight inches with the largest perch being 13 inches long. This species functions primarily as a forage species for the Walleye population, but anglers may occasionally catch perch they are interested in harvesting. White Sucker were the only other fish species sampled during the survey.

A standard survey was completed in summer 2018 to monitor the status of the fish community. The lake is located within the Timber-Frear Canoe Route area managed by the US Forest Service as a semi-primitive motorized area. There is a carry-in access with a short but rocky trail suitable for canoes and small fishing boats in the northwest corner of the lake. The current fish community is the result of natural reproduction as no fish stocking has occurred since 1985. Walleye catch was above the normal range for similar lakes in standard sampling gear. High abundance has been recorded in each of the previous nine assessments dating back to 1970. Size in the 2018 standard survey gill nets ranged from 7.8 to 26.3 inches with an average of 15.2 inches and 1.33 pounds. Overall size structure was favorable for anglers as 65% of Walleye sampled were between 14 and 20 inches. Age analysis determined fish ranged from age-3 to age-16 with twelve year classes represented which indicates good natural reproduction with consistent recruitment to maturity. Growth was slow compared to other lakes in the area and fish reach 11.3 inches at age-4. Northern Pike catch was similar to the last assessment and within the normal range for this type of lake. Although the total number sampled was small the average size was 22 inches and 2.5 pounds. Historic data suggest Northern Pike rarely reach trophy size but do provide another opportunity to catch a larger predator. White Sucker and Yellow Perch are important forage species in the lake. White Sucker gill net catch was above the expected range for the fourth consecutive survey. Yellow Perch gill net and trap net catches were similar to the last assessment and within the normal range for this type of lake. Perch size was poor with few fish over 9 inches sampled.

Whitefish Lake is a 339 acre body of water located approximately 13 miles northwest of Tofte, MN. There is a carry-in public access and small (4 site) campground on the north end of the lake, three remote campsites are scattered along the shoreline, all maintained by the U. S. Forest Service (USFS). Whitefish Lake is one of the entry points to the "Timber - Frear canoe route" that is managed by the USFS as a Semi-Primitive Motorized Area, providing a wilderness experience outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). Portage trails from Elbow Lake (65 rods) and South Wigwam Lake (20 rods) also provide access to Whitefish Lake. Whitefish is a very soft-water lake with a total alkalinity of 16.0 ppm and pH 7.35, based on field measurements taken in 2010. Dissolved oxygen was 5.1 ppm at 24 feet, dropping to 2.2 ppm at 26 feet in August 2010. The secchi disk reading was 19.0 feet, in light green water. The fish sample in 2010 consisted of northern pike, rock bass, walleye, white sucker and yellow perch. The walleye numbers were well above average in 2010, for northeastern Minnesota lakes with similar characteristics (lake class). Previous investigations have also recorded high walleye catches on Whitefish Lake. The average size of walleye sampled was slightly below average, 1.2 pounds (14.7 inches) for the lake class; the largest walleye was 25.2 inches. Thirty-one percent of the walleye sampled in 2010 were greater than 15 inches. Walleye stocking was discontinued in 1986 when natural reproduction checks and assessment netting indicated that walleye reproduction was sufficient to maintain a walleye fishery in Whitefish Lake. The carry-in access, suitable for small boats and canoes, probably limits the fishing pressure on Whitefish Lake which then allows the slow growing walleye an opportunity to attain quality size and maintain high numbers. Northern pike were sampled in slightly below average numbers for the lake class, but similar to previous catches on Whitefish Lake. The northern pike average size was 3.8 pounds (23 inches); 28% of the northern pike sample was greater than 29 inches the largest northern pike measuring 35.7 inches. The average size recorded in the 2010 population assessment was larger than in previous investigations. Yellow perch were sampled in above average numbers for the lake class in the 2010 population assessment, the numbers of yellow perch have fluctuated widely in previous investigations. The average weight of yellow perch sampled was about one-quarter pound (8.1 inches); 56% of the yellow perch sampled were greater than 8 inches, the largest 11 inches.

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

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

Whitefish has a maximum depth of 49 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Whitefish is from 2025.

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