Coffee

Coffee Lake is located about 16 miles northeast of Isabella within the Superior National Forest. It covers an area of 130 acres with a maximum depth of about 11 feet and has dark brown colored water. Public access is off Lake County 7 via US Forest Service 1244 (Coffee Lake access road) which is approximately 1.7 miles long through rough and brushy terrain most suitable for a small four-wheel drive vehicle or ATV. The lake is best suited to canoes or light boats on a rack or on trailers that can be disconnected and turned around near the lake as there is little room to maneuver. The access is located in a shallow bay and there are several rocky areas that can be a hazard to boat motors so anglers should use caution while navigating around the lake. Walleye are the primary management species and their population has been maintained through natural reproduction since stocking ceased after 1998. The catch rate of 5.0 Walleye per gill net was within the normal range for the type of lake and similar to previous surveys of Coffee Lake. Although no exceptionally large fish were sampled, a wide range of sizes were caught and the average size was good at 16.5 inches long and 1.7 pounds. Age analysis determined ten unique year classes were sampled which indicates natural reproduction has been successful at producing a Walleye fishery with diverse size and age structure. Northern Pike are the secondary management species and the 2022 catch rate of 2.83 per gill net was similar to previous surveys and within the normal range for the lake. Size was also similar to historic survey data with a majority of pike less than 24 inches long and an occasional larger fish. While not a destination for Northern Pike fishing there is a chance to catch a quality sized fish for anglers that make their way to the lake. Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch were also sampled in 2022, but their populations are not likely to be of interest to anglers due to low abundance or poor size structure.

Coffee Lake is a 130 acre lake located 16.5 miles north of Isabella, Minnesota in the Superior National Forest. The shoreline around the lake is under state and federal ownership and consists primarily of mixed deciduous forest with small areas of bog. The maximum depth is 11 feet with brown bog-stained water. Boulder and sand are the main substrate types in the lake. The aquatic plant community in the lake is fairly diverse with 18 species present. Walleye and Northern Pike are the main game fish found in Coffee Lake. Yellow Perch, White Sucker, Rock Bass, and Pumpkinseed Sunfish also reside in the lake. The lake access road (USFS Rd. 1244) is located off of Lake County Rd. 7 about 1.0 mile north of the Windy Lake access. The access road leads to the outlet of the lake after 1.7 miles of travel through very rough and brushy terrain. A high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle or ATV is recommended for traveling the road. The access is on the southwest end of the lake and depending on the lake water levels, small boats and canoes may need to be carried across the boulder field at the outlet to the lake. Fishing pressure on Coffee Lake is presumed to be light as it is a lake off of normal travel routes. The Walleye population in Coffee Lake is maintained by natural reproduction. The 2015 Walleye gill net catch was slightly below average for similar northeastern Minnesota lakes, but consistent with the long term average for Coffee Lake. The average length was 14.1 inches and weight was 1.0 pound; the largest Walleye was 19.1 inches long and weighed 2.2 pounds. Natural reproduction appears to be consistent with a few strong year classes. The 2015 survey saw seven year classes present with two years classes (2012 and 2011) making up 60% of the catch. Growth is average in Coffee Lake when compared to other lakes in the Finland Area. The Northern Pike catch was near the historical average for Coffee Lake, yet slightly below average when compared to lakes with similar characteristics. Average length of Northern Pike was 20.5 inches. Larger Northern Pike are present in the lake and three fish were measured over 32 inches in length, all three weighed over 8 pounds. The largest pike was 37.6 inches long and weighed 12.3 pounds. Yellow Perch numbers in 2015 were near average for similar lakes in the area. However, the majority of perch tend to be smaller with the average length of 6.2 inches and weight of 0.1 pounds. The largest perch observed was 9.1 inches. The White Sucker gillnet catch was average for the lake class. Size of White Sucker was near the average at 2.0 pounds and 15.7 inches. Twenty-three Rock Bass and single Pumpkinseed Sunfish were also sampled during the 2015 survey. Coffee Lake offers a destination for anglers desiring to venture to a remote lake with a chance of catching large Northern Pike and decent sized Walleye. The water in Coffee Lake is very dark and there are many boulders in the lake, many of which are not easily seen. Boaters should take care when using a motor on the lake to avoid hitting a boulder.

Coffee Lake is located 16.5 miles northeast of Isabella, MN, in the Superior National Forest. A very rough access road from Lake County Rd. 7 goes 1.5 miles to the south end of the lake, high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle recommended for this brushy logging road (USFS Rd 1244). Most anglers using small boats and canoes access the outlet and carry across the boulder field to the lake. The fish community in Coffee Lake is comprised of walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, rock bass, white sucker and minnow species. The walleye numbers in the 2007 assessment were slightly below average for this type of lake, but higher than in the two previous assessments. The average weight was 1.4 pounds, which was above the lake class average but within the range of past assessments on Coffee Lake. Approximately 47% of the walleye sampled in the 2007 assessment were over 15 inches. Walleye stocking was discontinued in 1998 and natural reproduction is maintaining the present population. Northern pike numbers were near average for the lake class in 2007 and similar to pike numbers in previous samples on Coffee Lake. The average weight of northern pike sampled in 2007 was 2.0 pounds, a typical size seen in previous assessments. Forty-five percent of the northern pike sampled were over 22 inches, with only one fish over 28 inches. Yellow perch numbers fluctuate widely in Coffee Lake. The 2007 sample was below the historic average, but near the average for this lake type. The average length of yellow perch in 2007 was 7.2 inches, with a few fish over 8 inches in the sample.

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

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

Coffee has a maximum depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Coffee is from 2022.

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