Discovery
A 34-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County — best known for panfish. Last surveyed 2019.
Fish Species (4)
Yellow Perch
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019
Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 1.1–12.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2019 | 3.00 | 9.3" | 0.43 lbs |
| Jun 19, 1980 | 10.25 | - | 0.21 lbs |
Bluegill
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1980
Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.8 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 1980 | 2.75 | - | 0.10 lbs |
Green Sunfish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019
Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 0.6–9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2019 | 0.25 | 4.0" | 0.06 lbs |
Other species in this lake (1)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2019
Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net · typical 1–8.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2019 | 8.00 | 8.6" | 0.24 lbs |
| Jun 19, 1980 | 25.50 | - | 0.43 lbs |
Biologist Notes
June 12, 2019Discovery Lake is located approximately 17 miles E of Ely within the Superior National Forest. This lake has an irregular shaped shoreline with ledger…
Discovery Lake is located approximately 17 miles E of Ely within the Superior National Forest. This lake has an irregular shaped shoreline with ledgerock outcrops and a surrounding forest that primarily features coniferous species. The most common access is a 0.4 mile portage off the Snowbank Road that leads to a tributary of Discovery Lake. The tributary travels through a bog environment which can be difficult to navigate, depending on current water levels. This route is primarily used during the winter months to facilitate access to nearby Judd Lake, which is a designated stream trout lake. No official campsites were identified. The 2019 survey sampled 3 species of fish with small white sucker (71%) dominating the catch. Yellow perch (27%) and 1 green sunfish were also sampled. Discovery Lake was privately stocked with walleye fry in 2017. No walleye were sampled or observed in 2019. Yellow perch numbers in 2019 (3.0/gill net) were lower than the historical average (6.6/gill net) for this lake and below average (6.0/gill net) when compared to other similar area lakes. The average perch sampled was 9.8 inches which is larger than the historical average length of 8.5 inches. Perch sizes ranged from 6.3 to 12.4 inches.
June 19, 1980Composed of above average populations of Suckers, Perch, and Bluegill. Largemouth Bass are reportedly present.
Composed of above average populations of Suckers, Perch, and Bluegill. Largemouth Bass are reportedly present.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Discovery?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch in Discovery. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Discovery?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Discovery. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Discovery?
Discovery has a maximum depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Discovery last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Discovery is from 2019.
Does Discovery have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Discovery in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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31 acres
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Brown Trout · Walleye · Yellow Perch
Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 34 acres
- Max Depth
- 22 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.01 mi
- Public Access
- Yes