Deep

Deep Lake is located 10 miles northwest of Isabella in the Superior National Forest. From Hwy 1 go 5 miles down the Deep Lake Road (USFS Rd. #1491) to USFS Rd. #1491K timber access road, then a 0.4 mile carry in, crossing Camp E Creek to the southeast corner of the deep basin. This is a user developed non-motorized trail. Contact the USFS Kawishiwi district or check the Superior NF website for information on camping in the area and activities in the Superior NF. The lake has an area of 147 acres and a maximum depth of 38 feet. The fish community consists of Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass and White Sucker. The fish community is sustained by natural reproduction as no stocking has been done on the lake since 1988 A survey was completed in 2018 to update the status of the fish community, evaluate current management goals, and provide information to direct future management activities. The last survey was done in 1995. In 1997, the access was gated when that parcel of land was sold to private ownership. The Walleye gill net catch in six sets of 4.2/net was slightly less than average when compared to other similar lakes, but still within the normal range. Average weight and length was 2 pounds and 15.5 inches. The largest fish sampled was 27.4 inches long and weighed 7.9 pounds. Walleye recruitment was sporadic with seven year classes sampled and fish as old as 16 years. Growth was fast for Finland Area standards. The Northern Pike gill net catch of 8.2/net was slightly higher than average when compared to other similar lakes, but again within the normal range. Average weight and length was 2.6 pounds and 22.5 inches. The largest fish sampled was 28.9 inches long and weighed 5.3 pounds. Northern Pike recruitment was consistent with 10 year classes sampled and 2012, 2013 and 2014 the strongest year classes. Largemouth Bass gill net catch of 0.5/net was average, while average weight of 2.2 pounds was above average compared to similar lakes. The largest fish sampled was 18.7 inches long and weighed 4 pounds. Six special mini trap nets sampled 225 young-of-the-year fish. Yellow Perch gill net catch of 14.2/net was slightly high while the average size of 6.3 inches was somewhat small. The largest fish sampled was 7.6 inches long. Bluegill special trap net catch was 8.5/net with an average length of 3.4 inches. The largest fish sampled was 5.2 inches long. White Sucker gill net catch of 3/net with average weight of 2 pounds would both be considered within the normal range for similar lakes. The largest fish sampled was 21.9 inches long. Other species sampled in the survey were Bluntnose Minnow, Common Shiner, Golden Shiner and Tadpole Madtom in special trap nets, and a Hybrid Sunfish, two Pumpkinseed and five Rock Bass in gill nets.

The gamefish population in Swallow Lake is comprised of walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Test nets in 1995 indicates Swallow Lake supports a higher than average number of walleye compared to similar lakes in this class. The size range is well distributed with fish in the sample ranging from 9 inches to 24 inches (4.3 pounds). Average size of the walleye sampled was 15.4 inches with over one half of the fish 16 inches or larger. The walleye population is being maintained thru natural reproduction. Northern pike abundance is higher than similar lakes in this class and average approximately 2.25 pounds each. Northern pike up to 27 inches (4.5 pounds) were sampled however northern pike over 8 pounds are rare. Largemouth bass are present but are a difficult species to sample with nets however it is believed they are present in above average numbers for this lake class. All the largemouth bass sampled were less than 10 inches but individuals up to 17.5 inches were recorded in previous surveys. Occasionally reports are received of good catches of largemouth bass by anglers but most of the angling on Swallow Lake is directed at walleye and northern pike.

Walleye densities have declined since the previous assessment, however fluctuations in Walleye numbers have been observed for many years. Natural reproduction is normally good and probably sufficient to maintain Walleye numbers at existing levels. Gillnet catches of Northern Pike have increased during the last two assessments to levels that are now near all time highs. This increase maybe reflected in the substantial reduction of Yellow Perch which are at their lowest densities in the last four assessments. Trapnet catches of Largemouth Bass are consistant with previous catches.

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

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

Deep has a maximum depth of 38 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Deep is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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