Greenwood

Greenwood Lake is a large but shallow lake with dark brown colored water located 23 miles northwest of Silver Bay in Lake County and within the Superior National Forest. There is a public water access off Lake County 2 with a concrete log boat ramp and parking for several vehicle and trailer rigs. A standard survey was completed in August 2025 to monitor the status of the fish community and provide updated information about angling opportunities. Walleye were captured at a rate of 12.9 per gill net which is within the normal range for this type of lake and similar to the nine previous surveys of Greenwood Lake. Age analysis confirms natural reproduction and recruitment to the fishery still occurs annually. Survival is good but size is generally poor with an average length of 11.8" and only 16% of the catch longer than 14 inches. Survey results confirm the lake continues to support a Walleye population with average abundance and small size structure. Northern Pike have been captured in each of the previous surveys of the lake, but the population has never had the size structure to be of much interest to anglers. The 2025 catch had an average size of just 17.4 inches long and included just two pike longer than 24 inches. Bluegill were sampled for the first time during the 2025 survey. It is possible they migrated from the Sand River watershed via the Greenwood River. Future surveys will determine if the species is able to establish a self-sustaining population capable of supporting a fishery in Greenwood Lake.

Greenwood Lake is located 23 miles northwest of Silver Bay off of Lake County Highway 2. The lake has an area of 1,329 acres and a maximum depth of 7 feet. There is a public access with concrete boat ramp on the south end of the lake with a dock and parking lot suitable for half a dozen or more vehicles and trailers. Greenwood Lake is very rocky and the water is dark, boaters should use caution when motoring around the lake. The lake is managed primarily for Walleye with a secondary fishery for Northern Pike. A lake survey was conducted the week of August 5, 2019 to monitor the fish community in the lake. Walleye catch was within the normal range compared to similar lakes. The Walleye sampled tended to be small with an average length in the gill nets of 11 inches and average weight of half a pound; the longest Walleye measured 27 inches. Walleye year classes are consistently produced with fish ranging in age from zero to 17 with no missing year classes between 2011 (age-8) and 2019 (age-0). Age-3 fish made up 32 percent of the sample, these fish were on average 11 inches long. Because the water in Greenwood Lake is so dark it is a lake where anglers can catch Walleye on sunny days throughout the open water season. Northern Pike catch was within the normal range compared to similar lakes. The average length of fish sampled in gill nets was 19 inches with an average weight of 0.75 pounds. The longest Northern Pike measured 30 inches. Fish ranged in age from zero to 11 with no missing year classes between 2013 (age-6) and 2019 (age-0). Age-2 fish made up 27 percent of the sample and had an average length of 15 inches. Greenwood Lake has good numbers of Northern Pike, but anglers are unlikely to catch a trophy class fish on the lake. Yellow Perch catch was within the normal range compared to similar lakes. Average length of perch was 7 inches with the longest fish measuring 10 inches. White Sucker, Blacknose Shiner, Common Shiner, Pumpkinseed, Spottail Shiner, and Tadpole Madtom were also sampled during the survey.

Greenwood Lake is shallow with heavily bog stained water and the many boulders that can make boating hazardous. Access is a concrete ramp on the southwest end of the lake, off of Lake County Road #2. The 2009 walleye population in Greenwood Lake was above average for the lake class although within a range seen in previous investigations on this lake. The average length was 12.6 inches with 14% of the catch was greater than 17 inches. Anglers report Greenwood Lake has good numbers of fish, but the walleyes tend to run small. Walleye angling holds up well during daylight hours in Greenwood Lake, probably due to the dark, bog stained water and shallow open expanse. Northern pike numbers were above average for the lake class, the average length was 19.0 inches, which was below average. The northern pike catch in 2009 was made up of a large range of sizes, many small fish in the sample (which included two fish over 30 inches) brought down the average size. Yellow perch numbers were above average with 15% of the catch greater than nine inches. Large numbers of young-of-the-year yellow perch, often seen on Greenwood Lake, provide a good forage base. Poor, mid-summer angling might be the result of a large yellow perch hatch. White sucker, rock bass and three types of shiners were also sampled in the 2009 assessment.

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

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

Greenwood has a maximum depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Greenwood is from 2025.

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