Ojibway

Ojibway Lake is located approximately 14 miles east of Ely and is accessible by a concrete ramp off the Fernberg Road. It is a 367 acre lake with a maximum depth of 115 feet and mostly clear water. Ojibway Lake is a two-story fishery with deep, cold, well oxygenated water capable of supporting a cold water fishery and a shallow, warmer, but still well oxygenated area capable of supporting a cool and warm water fishery. Three dissolved oxygen profiles (western, middle, and eastern basins) were taken on Ojibway Lake on July 25, 2022. All three basins showed thermal stratification with surface temperatures near 70 F and bottom temps all around 40 F. On the western basin, the depth range ideal for supporting lake trout was 23 to 80 feet. In the middle basin, the ideal depth range was 25 to 65 feet. The eastern basin is not capable of supporting lake trout in the summer but water with oxygen levels capable of supporting most gamefish was retained to a depth of 23 feet. Ojibway is a popular lake for recreation. Its shorelines and islands are rimmed with tall white, red, and jack pine as well as stands of spruce and cedar. There are some cabins and homes on the western basin and north shore of the middle basin, but the southern shore and much of the eastern side of the lake is US Forest Service land. A few camp sites and an access on the south shore to Triangle Lake can provide a boundary waters feel without the need for a permit or other restrictions. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are mostly boulder, rubble, gravel, and ledgerock. Aquatic plants are mostly absent except for some shallow bays. The overall deep water gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 13.9 fish/net which was below average for the lake. Yield was 8.4 lbs/net which was just above average. Fish species sampled in deep water gill nets were cisco, lake trout, and norther pike. The overall shallow water gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 10.0 fish/net which was the lowest on record for the lakes. Yield was 16.6 lbs/net which was just above average. Fish species sampled were northern pike, rock bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, cisco, white sucker, walleye, largemouth bass, and black crappie. The overall trapnet catch rate for all fish combined was 18.0 fish/net which was right at the historic average for the lake. Yield was 3.9 lbs/net which was just below average. Fish species sampled were bluegill, rock bass, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and yellow perch. Lake trout numbers in Ojibway Lake have generally been low, but the 2022 lake trout catch of 0.5 fish/deep gill net was the highest catch rate since 2005. Six lake trout were caught ranging from 9 to nearly 34 inches with an average of 25 inches. None of these fish had clipped fins indicating all were naturally reproduced. Stocking last occurred in 2010. Three walleye were sampled in the shallow water gill nets for a catch rate of 0.3 fish/net. Catch rates for walleye have always been extremely low (0.0 to 0.2 fish/net) on Ojibway. Lengths of these three walleye were 18, 19, and 20 inches. These fish were 4, 7, and 7 years old respectively. Although the sample size is small, the growth of these fish was quite good. Walleye stocking began in 2017. Only the four year old fish came from one of those stocked years. The northern pike shallow water gillnet catch was 3.0 fish/net which was the highest on record for the lake. Lengths ranged from 19 to 32 inches with an average of nearly 25 inches. Twelve smallmouth bass were sampled in shallow water gill nets for a catch rate of 1.3 fish/net which was the second highest on record for the lake. The mean weight for shallow water gillnetted fish was 1.2 pounds. Lengths ranged from 5.5 to 17 inches with an average of 12 inches. Growth rates were fairly slow compared to other lakes with the average smallmouth taking four years to reach 8 inches long. Ages ranged from 2 to 10 years. The bluegill trapnet catch rate was 13.4 fish/net. This was very good compared to other similar lakes and right at the average when compared to past surveys on Ojibway. Sizes ranged from 3 to 7 inches with an average of just over 5 inches. The yellow perch shallow gillnet catch was 1.1 fish/net which was the lowest on record for the lake. Fish were small with an average weight of 0.1 pounds and lengths ranging from 6 to 8.5 inches. Cisco numbers in 2022 (13.3 fish/deep gill net) were just below the average value for all investigations on the lake (14.3 fish/deep gill net). The average weight was 0.3 pounds and sizes ranged from 7 to nearly 14 inches with an average of nearly 10 inches.

Ojibway Lake is located approximately 14 miles east of Ely and is accessible by a concrete ramp off the Fernberg Road. It is 367 acres with a maximum depth of 115 feet and clear water (the small bay on the east end of the lake connected by a shallow channel has much darker brown colored water). Three dissolved oxygen profiles (western, middle, and eastern basins) were taken on Ojibway Lake on August 11, 2015. All three basins showed thermal stratification with surface temperatures near 70 F and bottom temps all around 40 F. On the western basin oxygen and water temperature suitable for lake trout occurred between 23 and 52 feet. The middle basin ideal range for lake trout was 23 to 48 feet. The eastern basin is not capable of supporting lake trout in the summer but oxygen levels capable of supporting most other gamefish was adequate to a depth of 23 feet. Ojibway is a popular lake for recreation. Its shorelines and islands are rimmed with tall white, red, and jack pine as well as stands of spruce and cedar. There are some cabins and homes on the western basin and north shore of the middle basin, but the southern shore and much of the eastern side of the lake is US Forest Service land. A few camp sites and an access on the south shore to Triangle Lake can provide a boundary waters feel without the need for a permit or other restrictions. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are mostly boulder, rubble, gravel, and ledgerock. Aquatic plants are mostly absent except for some shallow bays. Ojibway has a long history of stocking dating back to 1915. Several different species were introduced, but since 1992 stocking has been limited to lake trout yearlings every even year. Due to poor growth and survival of stocked fish, stocking was discontinued after 2010. This population assessment consisted of three different net types: shallow water gillnet sets, deep water gillnet sets, and trapnet sets. Lake trout numbers in Ojibway Lake have generally been low, but the 2015 lake trout catch of 0.1/deep gill net is the lowest catch rate since 1977. The only trout caught was 10 inches, weighed 0.3 pounds, was three years old, and was not stocked. Three walleye were sampled in all the gill nets, although catch rates for walleye have always been extremely low. Lengths were 16, 18, and 24 inches. These fish were 2, 3, and 9 years old and showed good growth. Walleye have not been stocked in Ojibway Lake since 1946 so it is possible these fish moved down the outlet from Triangle Lake or there may be a small population in Ojibway that is spawning. The northern pike population seems to be doing well in Ojibway Lake. The shallow water gillnet catch was the highest on record for the lake at nearly 3 fish/net. The average sized pike was 26 inches and over 4 pounds, but fish up to 38 inches were also sampled. A total of 15 smallmouth bass were sampled in shallow water gill nets and trap nets. The average weight was over a pound. Although most of the fish were fairly small, bass up to 18 inches were captured. Fish tended to grow slow compared to other area lakes. Ages ranged from 3 to 8 years. Six largemouth bass were sampled in shallow water gill nets and trap nets. Most were small with lengths ranging from 6 to 14 inches. Growth of largemouth was also fairly slow. Ages ranged from 2 to 5 years. Bluegill numbers seem to be on the rise in Ojibway Lake. This assessment was the highest trap net catch recorded for the lake at nearly 23 fish/net. This catch rate was very good when compared to other similar lakes. Fish tended to be small though with a size range from 4 to 8 inches and an average of 5 inches. Yellow perch numbers are similar to previous catches. The shallow gillnet catch was just over 3 fish/net. Fish were small with sizes ranging from 6 to 7 inches. These were the smallest perch sampled from Ojibway Lake. Cisco numbers in 2015 are similar to previous catches. The deep gillnet catch was just over 13 fish/net. Lengths ranged from 7 to 13 inches with an average of 9 inches. Additional fish species sampled but in small numbers include: black crappie, green sunfish, rock bass, and white sucker. Triangle Lake flows into Ojibway Lake through a small outlet on Ojibway's south shore. Triangle has had a population of rusty crayfish since 1986. These crayfish are a non-native invasive species. They had not been observed in Ojibway Lake until this survey. A total of 22 rusty crayfish were captured from shallow gill nets and trap nets in 2015, no native crayfish were observed.

Located 15 miles north northeast of Ely, MN Ojibway is a 371-acre Canadian Shield lake with a maximum depth of 115 feet. Sparse residential development has occurred along the northern shoreline. Riparian zone vegetation remains intact. Typical of lakes in this region of the state, rocky steep breaking shorelines and coarse woody debris abound. A near shore survey (Index of Biotic Integrity; IBI) was conducted from 8/6-8/8/2013 to assess populations of non-game species and young-of-the-year (YOY) sport fish using backpack electrofishing and trap nets. Overnight sets of 1/4" trap nets are used at each site in Canadian Shield lakes. Seining occurs at sites where shoreline characteristics allow. These sites are selected by the crew leader to include diverse seinable habitats; three seines were pulled in Ojibway. Electrofishing with a backpack unit was conducted all 10 stations. Sampling took place from the boat at sites where depth and emergent vegetation prevented wading. Small mesh trap nets were deployed where shoreline characteristics allowed. Nets were set as close to assigned GPS points as possible. New GPS coordinates were recorded if a net location was adjusted. Seining was conducted at 3 sites with a 15-foot 1/8th inch mesh seine. Nearshore IBI sampling captured several species of fish including (in alphabetical order) black crappie, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, central mudminnow, green sunfish, Iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. This specific sampling protocol is part of a watershed assessment tool that is being developed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency specifically for MN DNR Lake Classes 1-19. Small mesh trap nets are not part of the state-wide IBI sampling protocol. The near shore survey of Ojibway Lake captured several species that are intolerant of poor water quality: Iowa darter, rock bass and smallmouth bass. One tolerant species, green sunfish, was also sampled. The surrounding landscape remains forested and minimal development has occurred within the watershed. This survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff.

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

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

Ojibway has a maximum depth of 115 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ojibway is from 2022.

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