Homestead

Homestead Lake is a 44 acre, 100% littoral, lake with a maximum depth of 7.5 feet. Homestead Lake is located approximately nine miles east of Isabella, Minnesota in the Superior National Forest. There is a small earthen access suitable for small boats on the eastern shore of the lake along with a carry down access from a campsite on the southeastern shore. Both accesses are off of US Forest Service Road 172. The shoreline of the lake is currently undeveloped with the exception of the two campsites. The Muskellunge population in Homestead Lake is maintained through natural reproduction. The 2014 Muskellunge catch rate was one of the highest on record for the lake with 26 fish sampled and seven years classes present ranging from 1 year old to 10 year old. The average size was 22.55 inches, and mean weight was 2.80 pounds. The largest Muskellunge measured in 2014 was 27.56 inches and weighed 4.85 pounds. Muskellunge in Homestead Lake are the Shoepack strain, which in Finland area lakes rarely reach lengths over 40 inches. The largest historical recorded sampled Muskellunge in Homestead Lake was 31.61 inches. Although the chances of reaching the legal minimum size are slim, the fishery still provides catch-and-release opportunities for anglers. Yellow Perch gill net catch was below the average compared to similar lakes in the area. The trap net catch rate for Yellow Perch was above the average for the lake class. The Yellow Perch average size was 5.95 inches (0.08 pounds) with the largest measuring 7.95 inches (0.20 pounds). Pumpkinseed Sunfish were sampled in low numbers with an average length of 3.63 inches. Five minnow species collected in trap nets near the shore. The White Sucker population in Homestead Lake appears to be low, with no fish recorded in the assessment and very few fish sampled in previous assessments.

Homestead Lake is located approximately 9 miles east of Isabella in the Superior National Forest. This is a small, undeveloped lake with a maximum depth of 7 feet. There is a small earthen access on the east side of the lake suitable for small boats and a carry-down access off Forest Service Road #172. The shoreline is undeveloped and in a wild state. Homestead Lake has been stocked with various species of fish in recent years, but success in providing a fishery for most of these species has been limited. In 2001 and 2003 the lake was stocked with Shoepac strain muskellunge. The chance to reach the legal minimum size (40) is slim in Homestead Lake, but the fishery provides catch-and-release opportunities for anglers. No further stocking of muskellunge is planned, and it is anticipated that the species will eventually become extirpated in the lake, since it is highly unlikely that there will be natural reproduction to sustain the population. Muskellunge, yellow perch, white suckers and pumpkinseed were collected in nets in 2006. Muskellunge were collected in relatively low numbers and the population appears to be diminishing as older fish expire; mean length was 25 inches, with all fish in the sample between 24.5 and 26.1 inches. Yellow perch were collected in below average numbers and the mean size was too small to interest anglers; the largest fish in the sample measured 6.3 inches.

Homestead Lake is located approximately 9 miles east of Isabella, MN. A carry-in access is available for a small boat or canoe.The lake was stocked with a total of 161 Shoepack strain muskellunge in 2001 and 2003. These fish averaged 4.9 pounds when transferred from Dumbbell Lake. The 2003 assessment evaluated the survival and growth of muskellunge, and effects of this introduction on the yellow perch, largemouth bass and white sucker populations in Homestead Lake. The netting captured a total of 23 muskellunge; these fish averaged 4.4 pounds. The largest muskellunge sampled was 31.6 inches (7.0 pounds). The forage base, which had been very abundant prior to the stockings has been greatly reduced by muskellunge; a small number of yellow perch were the only other fish collected. The growth of muskellunge had slowed and would not likely increase significantly at present forage levels. It is unlikely any muskellunge in Homestead Lake will reach legal size; the 40 inch possession minimum applies to this lake, all fish below 40 inches must be released immediately.

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

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

Homestead has a maximum depth of 7.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Homestead is from 2014. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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