Witness

Lake County

Near Ely

DOW: 38064300

WalleyeExcellent · 80Yellow PerchGood · 64

A 41-acre lake near Ely in Lake County — best known for walleye and panfish. Last surveyed 2012.

Fish Species (2)

Walleye

Excellent · 80

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2012

Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.6"

Avg Weight

2.40 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per gill net · typical 2.2–10.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye85% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 15%Largest sampled 24"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 11, 2012	9.00	17.6"	2.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 27, 1994	18.00	18.9"	2.66 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 64

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2012

Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.6"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 73.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–14.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch5% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 95%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 11, 2012	73.00	6.6"	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 27, 1994	24.50	7.5"	0.22 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 1, 1979	85.50	-	0.19 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

June 11, 2012Witness Lake is located approximately 16 miles NE of Ely, MN and is entirely within the BWCAW. It has a surface area of 42 acres and a maximum depth o…

Witness Lake is located approximately 16 miles NE of Ely, MN and is entirely within the BWCAW. It has a surface area of 42 acres and a maximum depth of 20 ft. Water clarity is considered good. Access is by a discrete 90 rod portage from Washte Lake. There are no designated campsites on the lake. Yellow perch numbers in 2012 (73.0/gill net) were similar to the long term average for all assessments on this lake. Perch sizes averaged 7.4" and the largest perch sampled was 11.9". Walleye numbers in 2012 (9.0/gill net) were lower than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. Walleye sizes averaged 18.2" or about 3 years old. This growth rate is much faster than average compared to similar lakes. The largest walleye sampled was 24.8". Several larger male walleyes were 17 years old. Walleye were last stocked in 1985.

June 27, 1994Witness Lake has a very simple fish community consisting of high numbers of yellow perch and walleye. The total number of fish per gillnet (42.5) and…

Witness Lake has a very simple fish community consisting of high numbers of yellow perch and walleye. The total number of fish per gillnet (42.5) and pounds of fish per gillnet (53.3) is higher than in most area lakes.The average size of walleye in the gillnets (19.4") is higher than average for the area. Growth of walleye and perch is faster than average for the area. Natural reproduction of both species is good.

August 1, 1979Composed of very high population of yellow perch.

Composed of very high population of yellow perch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Witness?

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

Is there public access at Witness?

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

How deep is Witness?

Witness has a maximum depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Witness last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Witness is from 2012. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.