Chipmunk

Lake County

Near Happy Wanderer

DOW: 38066900

Northern PikeGood · 73Yellow PerchAverage · 38

A 31-acre lake near Happy Wanderer in Lake County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2006.

Fish Species (2)

Northern Pike

Good · 73

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

20.5"

Avg Weight

2.17 lbs

Catch rate: 16.5 per gill net · typical 4–15 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike27% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 73%Largest sampled 29"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 2006	16.50	20.5"	2.17 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 26, 1986	33.00	-	2.86 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 38

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2006

Last surveyed 2006 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.3"

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 12.5 per gill net · typical 2–15 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 6, 2006	0.50	6.3"	-	Minnow traps
Jul 6, 2006	12.50	6.3"	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 26, 1986	2.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 6, 2006Chipmunk Lake is a small, remote lake located 11 miles northwest of Isabella. The lake has a maximum depth of 5 feet and access is fairly difficult, r…

Chipmunk Lake is a small, remote lake located 11 miles northwest of Isabella. The lake has a maximum depth of 5 feet and access is fairly difficult, requiring a 100-yard hike across a wet bog. Most of the lake is bordered by a wet bog and the shoreline is undeveloped and in a wild state. Previous fish assessments were conducted in 1961 and 1986. The fish community in Chipmunk Lake is comprised of northern pike and yellow perch. The 2006 assessment sampled northern pike in above average numbers, although the catch was not as high as in 1986. Northern pike averaged 2.2 pounds/fish in this assessment with fish up to 29.1 inches (4.9 pounds) collected; approximately one half the northern pike collected were between 22 and 25 inches. Growth of northern pike collected in 2006 was average compared to similar lakes in this class. The northern pike population in Chipmunk Lake is maintained through natural reproduction and does not require stocking. Yellow perch were sampled in fairly high numbers in 2006; however, the size of most of the fish were too small to interest anglers. Approximately one fourth of the yellow perch were larger than 8.0 inches (8.9 inch maximum length).

June 26, 1986The lake has a high Northern Pike population incated by a gillnet catch eight times the area average. Average size for Northern Pike was 2.9 LB. The Y…

The lake has a high Northern Pike population incated by a gillnet catch eight times the area average. Average size for Northern Pike was 2.9 LB. The Yellow Perch catch was substatially lower than the area average.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Chipmunk?

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

Is there public access at Chipmunk?

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

How deep is Chipmunk?

Chipmunk has a maximum depth of 4 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Chipmunk last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Chipmunk is from 2006. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.