Dunnigan

A targeted survey was completed in spring of 2022 using night electrofishing and trap netting to sample the Smallmouth Bass and Walleye populations. The purpose of the survey was to determine if these two spring sampling techniques could be used to produce an accurate population estimate for either species. Night electrofishing was completed on May 17 and trap netting occurred the week of May 23, 2022. Both gears were effective at sampling a portion of the Smallmouth Bass population. Interestingly, a majority of the catch from electrofishing were bass greater than 10 inches long while most bass captured in trap nets were less than 10 inches long. A population estimate calculated from the data collected found the current Smallmouth Bass population has a density of about 4 fish longer than 10 inches per acre. Night electrofishing occurred too long after ice-out to capture spawning adult Walleye, but spring trap netting captured some adult fish. Sample size was too low to generate a population estimate. Size structure from spring trap netting was similar to standard summer sampling gear and supports the belief that the lake currently has a low density Walleye population supported by regular fingerling stocking.

Dunnigan Lake is located about 18 miles northwest of Isabella and is 81 acres in size with a maximum depth of 14 feet. The public access is an earthen ramp on a somewhat steep slope that is suitable for small boats and canoes. There is limited space for maneuvering and parking for several vehicles is at the top of the hill. A single campsite located at the access. Walleye are a popular species targeted by anglers and are stocked regularly in Dunnigan Lake. The survey results indicate abundance of Walleye is currently lower than previous surveys, but the size structure and growth are good. The average length for all Walleye was 17.7 inches and over 40% of the catch was longer than 19 inches. Stocked years accounted for majority, but not all, of the Walleye captured. The gill net and trap net catches for Smallmouth Bass were well above the normal range of the lake. Size was small with only 22% of the catch longer than 12 inches and only 4 Smallmouth Bass longer than 15 inches. Growth is average compared to other Finland Lakes and the population is maintained through natural reproduction with ten year classes present in the sample. A single Bluegill measuring 3.9 inches was sampled from a gill net in 2021. Many small Bluegill were observed in the lake near the access, but were too small to be sampled with the standard fisheries assessment gear used during the survey. Bluegill have been sampled in low numbers during previous surveys of the lake, but the population has never had the size structure to be of interest to anglers.

Dunnigan Lake is located 12 miles west and six miles north of Isabella in the Superior National Forest. The lake is 81 acres with a maximum depth of 14 feet. On August 3, 2015 the lake had a water-clarity reading of 8.5 feet in very light green stained water. The shoreline is in 100% public ownership (US Forest Service and a very small portion of State) and in a wild state with predominantly red, white and jack pine and occasional aspen and birch. Bottom substrate is mostly rubble, boulder, muck, and decaying organic matter, with small occasional areas of gravel and sand. Aquatic vegetation is sparse on the lake with white water lily being the most common species. Fish species present are Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, and Rock Bass. White Suckers and Iowa Darters have been sampled occasionally in the past but always in very low numbers. Walleye fingerlings are stocked two consecutive years followed by two un-stocked years, a stocking regime that is used to better understand the contribution from natural reproduction. The lake is located just east of Hwy 1 a half mile south of the New Tomahawk road near the Slate Lake/Stony River crossing. A "Dunnigan Lake" sign is present along Hwy 1 at the start of the 600 foot road that leads to USFS maintained gravel back in access. The ramp to the lake is steep and there is little room to turn a trailer around. The access is best suited to light carry in boats or canoes. Boats on a trailer need to be light enough to disconnect and moved by hand to the water's edge, then reconnected to a vehicle. A person choosing this method needs to be very mindful of the steepness of the ramp. There is sufficient parking for two vehicles at the top of the hill. The Walleye catch rate in 2015 was average compared similar lakes in the Finland area. However, the average weight for sampled Walleyes was above average. Stocking appears to be an important contributor to the population as 75% of the catch was from years that were stocked. However, natural reproduction does occur as seven year classes were present in the catch from age-1 to age-7 with one additional very large fish (29 inches and 8.5 pounds) whose age was estimated at 13 years. The 2012 year class, a stocked year was by far the strongest year class and represented about half of the catch. Growth is faster than average compared to other Finland Area lakes. Smallmouth Bass gill net catch was average in numbers but below average in weight compared to similar lakes in the area. Population is maintained through natural reproduction and six year classes were present between age-1 and age-6 along with two fish over 16 inches long aged at 10 and 12 years. The 2012 year class was the strongest year class representing a third of the total catch. Growth is faster than average compared to other Finland Area lakes. Bluegill numbers were low and average size was small. Based on a small sample, growth appears to be slower than average compared to other Finland Area lakes. Rock Bass are present in average numbers and size for lakes in the Finland Area.

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

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

Dunnigan has a maximum depth of 14 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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