Trappers

Trappers Lake is located two miles northeast of Isabella in the Superior National Forest. Public access is a 0.25 mile trail from the parking area along the Trappers Lake Road (USFS Road 369) to the southwest end of the lake. The lake is surrounded by United States Forest Service land and the shoreline is comprised mainly of pines and cedar. The lake has an area of 19 acres with a maximum depth of 13 feet; on June 29, 2015 you could see to the bottom in light green stained water. The lake has moderately hard water of low fertility. Boulder and rubble are the most common bottom substrates followed by muck, decaying organic matter, gravel and a very limited amount of sand. Vegetation was found growing to a depth of 11 feet with twenty species/groups of aquatic vegetation identified. Arrowhead Creek enters and exits the lake, is a designated trout stream and supports naturally reproducing populations of Brook Trout. The 2015 survey was completed to assess the status of natural reproduction in the lake after the discontinuation of Brook Trout stocking after 2007. Brook Trout were stocked from 1963 until 2007. Brook Trout trap net catch in 2015 was slightly below average compared to other similar lakes in the Finland Area. However, the catch was very similar of previous catch rates in Trappers Lake. The average weight was a quarter pound and the largest fish sampled was 11.3 inches long. Growth is slower than average by Finland Area standards. White Suckers were caught in high numbers with small average size, as has been the case in all past assessments. Common Shiners and Creek Chubs were also caught, but in low numbers. Trappers Lake is a designated trout lake and as such, applicable rules apply. The lake is very clear with sparse vegetation and some downed cedar along the south shore. Much caution is advised in winter due to the inlet and springs; the lake is very susceptible to slush and at times there have been small open areas near the middle of the lake.

The brook trout population in Trappers Lake is similar to other managed brook trout lakes in the Finland area. The lake is on an alternate-year stocking rotation and appears to be supplemented with a natural brook trout population from within the watershed. The fish sampled ranged from 6 to 11 inches. A large number of small white suckers were sampled in 2008, normal for Trappers Lake. Common shiner and creek chubs were also sampled in low numbers.

The brook trout numbers sampled in trap nets were below average in 2007, compared to trap net catches in previous investigations. One gill net was set to collect a larger sample of brook trout for analysis and the resulting catch was similar to previous gill net catches. The average length of the total catch was 10 inches and ranged from 6.7 to 13.2 inches. The growth rate was about average for brook trout when compared to other area brook trout lakes. The brook trout stocking schedule was changed in 2003 to every-odd-year from the previous annual stocking. This change was made in an attempt to improve growth while maintaining adequate brook trout numbers in Trappers Lake. Four years of assessment netting (beginning in 2005) were scheduled to document changes in the population size structure and to look for brook trout natural reproduction. Based on the age analysis of the 2007 catch, natural reproduction is supplementing the brook trout population. A large number of small white suckers were sampled in 2007, which was normal for Trappers Lake. Common shiner and creek chubs were also sampled in low numbers.

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

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

Trappers has a maximum depth of 13 feet and a mean depth of 5.4 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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