Fourth McDougal
A 13-acre lake near Isabella in Lake County — best known for panfish and walleye. Last surveyed 2008.
Fish Species (5)
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008
Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 1.1–12.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 2008 | 1.00 | 9.5" | 0.43 lbs |
| Aug 16, 2000 | 0.75 | 8.5" | - |
| Aug 16, 2000 | 9.50 | 8.5" | 0.58 lbs |
Walleye
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2000
Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 2.4–16 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2000 | 2.00 | 13.8" | 1.00 lbs |
| Jul 15, 1986 | 4.00 | - | 1.35 lbs |
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008
Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 4.5 per gill net · typical 1.1–5.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 2008 | 4.50 | 17.0" | 1.03 lbs |
| Aug 16, 2000 | 5.00 | 16.3" | 0.89 lbs |
| Jul 15, 1986 | 5.00 | - | 0.64 lbs |
Other species in this lake (2)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2000
Last surveyed 2000 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1–8.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2000 | 0.50 | 17.0" | 2.54 lbs |
Golden Shiner
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2008
Last surveyed 2008 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 2008 | 0.25 | - | - |
Biologist Notes
July 15, 2008The northern pike population in Fourth McDougal Lake is average for the lake class. The size was small compared to fish sampled in similar lakes with…
The northern pike population in Fourth McDougal Lake is average for the lake class. The size was small compared to fish sampled in similar lakes with northern pike averaging about 1 pound. The largest northern pike was 21.8 inches; the mean length was 17.4 inches. Yellow perch are present in low numbers; their size is above average. Public access to the lake is via the channel from North McDougal Lake (USFS concrete boat ramp); then through a narrow/shallow channel in the bog west of Fourth McDougal Lake. The channel is difficult to navigate even in a canoe.
August 16, 2000Fourth McDougal Lake is a small lake that has never been stocked by the DNR. The fish population is maintained either by natural reproduction or migra…
Fourth McDougal Lake is a small lake that has never been stocked by the DNR. The fish population is maintained either by natural reproduction or migration from the McDougal Lakes chain via the outlet channel. Fish collected in the DNR test nets in 2000 were walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and white sucker.Walleye were sampled in below average numbers compared to other lakes in this class. The fish in this small sample ranged from 12.4 inches to 16.4 inches and averaged about one pound.Northern pike are fairly abundant but are small with the fish collected in nets averaging less than one pound. The largest northern pike observed during the survey was 1.7 pounds.Yellow perch were sampled in average numbers, but the catch included some quality size individuals. The yellow perch taken in the sample ranged from 7.1 inches to 12.6 inches with approximately 52% of the fish larger than 10 inches.
July 15, 1986Northern Pike catch was slightly above the area average. Walleye catch was 1/2 the area average. Yellow Perch catch was 3.5 times lower than the area…
Northern Pike catch was slightly above the area average. Walleye catch was 1/2 the area average. Yellow Perch catch was 3.5 times lower than the area average.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Fourth McDougal?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Northern Pike in Fourth McDougal. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Fourth McDougal?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Fourth McDougal. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Fourth McDougal?
Fourth McDougal has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Fourth McDougal last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Fourth McDougal is from 2008. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Fourth McDougal have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Fourth McDougal in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
More lakes in Lake County
View all44 acres
Muskellunge · Black Crappie · Northern Pike
31 acres
Green Sunfish
19 acres
Brook Trout · Splake
16 acres
Brook Trout
105 acres
Walleye
48 acres
Brown Trout · Walleye · Yellow Perch
Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 13.13 acres
- Max Depth
- 26 ft
- Shoreline
- 0.59 mi
- Public Access
- Yes