Sink

Sink Lake is an 18.2 acre lake located approximately 12 miles west of Finland, MN. The maximum depth is 22.0 feet and water clarity was measured as 4.0 feet in brown bog-stained water. The shoreline around the lake was a mixture of coniferous forest and bog. The shoreline around the lake is undeveloped and under State ownership. Thirty-one aquatic plant species were observed in the survey. Muck and detritus were the most abundant substrates in the lake with a small area of rubble near the access. The gamefish community consists of Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. Blacknose Shiner and White Sucker have also been sampled in the lake. The access road (USFS Rd. 105) to Sink Lake is off of the Cloquet Lake Road (USFS Rd. 102) about 0.6 miles north of the Cloquet Lake access. The access road is 1.2 miles and leads to a 130 yard carry-in access. A survey was conducted in 2015 to assess the status of the fishery and aquatic habitat. The survey found good numbers of small Northern Pike and high numbers of large Yellow Perch. Northern Pike were sampled at above average numbers and growth rate compared to similar lakes in the area. Three year classes of Northern Pike were present and the average size was 17.0 inches and weighed 1.0 pound, similar to previous investigations on the lake. The Yellow Perch catch numbers and growth rate were above average compared to similar lakes in northeastern Minnesota. The length of Yellow perch would appeal to anglers as over 50 percent of the catch measured over 10.0 inches and average weight of perch was 0.5 pounds. The largest Yellow Perch sampled was 13.0 inches and weighed 1.0 pound (and aged to be ten years old). Ten year classes were represented in the sample, indicating good natural reproduction. Dissolved oxygen levels tend to be low in deeper water therefore fishing should be limited to depths above 10 feet in the summer.

Sink Lake is a small lake that supports a natural population of northern pike, yellow perch and white sucker.Northern pike were sampled in average numbers in the 2005 assessment. They ranged from 12.0-25.9 inches (4.5 lb) and averaged about 1.0 lb. A few fish in the 23-26 inch range were collected however the majority of the fish were smaller than 20 inches.Yellow perch were sampled in fair numbers but most were smaller than 8.0 inches and probably too small to interest most anglers. The largest yellow perch collected was 9.7 inches although fish this large were uncommon.

Northern Pike catch in gill nets was 8.5/lift, or about two times the local average. Yellow Perch catch in gill nets was 30/lift, or 1.7 times the local average.

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

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

Sink has a maximum depth of 22 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 Sink is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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