Steamhaul

Steamhaul Lake is a designated stream trout lake that until 2004 had been stocked in alternating years with yearling brook trout and fingerling splake. In 2005 test nets collected brook trout in above average numbers. They averaged 12.2 inches with fish up to 13.4 inches sampled.In May 2005 a private landowner discontinued an access easement with the State and as a result trout stocking has been discontinued since the public no longer has reasonable access to the lake. If access issues can be resolved stocking could be resumed in this lake .

Steamhaul Lake is a designated stream trout lake that is stocked every odd year with splake fingerlings and every even year with brook trout yearlings. Access is by gravel road (3.1 miles) and then a 200 yard walk on a trail. The trail is on private land; however, an easement agreement with the property owner allows the public to access the lake through this trail.The 2004 assessment sampled brook trout in relatively high numbers. The brook trout ranged from 8.9 to 13 inches with most of the fish between 10 and 11.5 inches. All were from a May 2004 stocking of 2000 yearlings.The assessment did not capture any splake although they had been stocked the preceding year. It is possible splake were present, but were not collected in the sampling gear; however, that would have been unusual.One small bluegill (5.7 inches) was collected in the assessment. This species was never collected in this lake before and most likely was illegally introduced. Bluegill and most other fish species are undesirable species in a lake managed for stream trout since they compete with trout for the available forage.

Steamhaul Lake is a Designated Trout Lake which prohibits the possession and use of live minnows, angling is allowed only during the open trout season. The fish population is comprised of splake, brook trout and various minnow species. Test nets in 1997 found splake and brook trout abundance about average when compared to other trout lakes in this lake class in the Finland Management Area. Brook trout averaged 12.4 inches with a maximum length of 13.9 inches recorded. Normally the large brook trout in lakes are three year old fish, however due to stocking cycles there were none in Steamhaul Lake at the time of the assessment. Brook trout yearlings are stocked every other year. The splake averaged 13.8 inches with a maximum length of 15.0 inches recorded. Splake are stocked in years opposite of brook trout stocking.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Steamhaul. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Steamhaul has a maximum depth of 17 feet and a mean depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Steamhaul is from 2005. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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