East Chub

East Chub Lake is located 4 miles north and 12 miles west of Isabella and has an area of 62 acres with a maximum depth of nine feet. There is a public boat access with an earthen ramp on the east shore of the lake along State Highway 1 where parking is available for about three vehicle and trailer rigs. The convenient location and room to shore fish or picnic make the access a popular spot. After a suspected winterkill impacted the fish community in the lake, adult Bluegill were stocked in 2015 and 2017 in an attempt to reestablish a self-sustaining population. Northern Pike are the primary management species in East Chub Lake and the 2022 gill net catch of 12.7 per lift was higher than average compared to similar lakes. The average weight was 1.1 pounds, which is below normal range compared to similar lakes statewide. The average length was 16.8 inches with the largest fish measuring 25.8 inches long. Growth is average compared to similar lakes. The current population can provide more of a quantity over quality fishery, with good action on smaller fish with limited chances for quality sized fish. The 2022 Bluegill trap net catch of 4.7 per lift was average compared to similar lakes, but the average size was just 3.9 inches long and weight was just 0.05 pounds. The small size was due to the high number of age-2 fish that had been naturally reproduced in the lake. Growth is average compared to similar lakes. The strong 2020 year class bodes well for the Bluegill population in the near future. Pumpkinseed sunfish up to 7.5 inches long were also sampled in average numbers. While they are not often targeted by anglers, some may be caught and harvested by Bluegill anglers. The Yellow Perch gill net catch of 18.3/lift is average compared to other similar lakes. Average length was about 7 inches with less than 9% greater than nine inches long. These results suggest the lake currently supports an abundant population of small perch with limited opportunities for angler harvest. Growth is average compared to similar lakes. Other important forage species sampled were White Sucker and Golden Shiner. Bluegill populations in the Finland Area generally have sporadic reproduction and are maintained by occasional strong year classes. Results of this survey support this concept as only one year class in the last five years was sampled. Because the goal is to reestablish a self-sustaining Bluegill population, anglers are encouraged to show a little restraint when the fishing is good as angler harvest may impact the population on this small lake. Future surveys will be used to monitor the Bluegill population to determine what kind of angling opportunities the lake can support.

East Chub Lake is located 4 miles north and 12 miles west of Isabella and has an area of 62 acres with a maximum depth of nine feet. There is a public boat access with an earthen ramp on the east shore of the lake along Hwy 1 where parking is available for about three vehicle and trailer rigs. Bluegill fishing opportunities are limited in the Finland Area so adult Bluegill from Cedar Lake near Aurora were stocked in 2015 and 2017 in an attempt to establish a self-sustaining population. The purpose of this spring trap net survey was to check the status of Bluegill and look for evidence of natural reproduction. Sixty Bluegill were sampled and ranged from 3-10 inches long. Age analysis determined that two naturally reproduced year classes from 2018 and 2020 were sampled. The 2020-year class, which averaged 3.6 inches long represented 51% of the catch; this bodes well for Bluegill fishing in 2 or 3 years. The two age-4 fish averaged 8.2 inches long. Bluegill greater than 9.2 inches long were presumed to be stocked fish from Cedar Lake as they exhibited slower growth than the fish produced from natural reproduction in the lake. Bluegill populations in the Finland Area generally have sporadic reproduction and are supported by occasional strong year classes. For this reason, it is recommended to show a little restraint when the fishing is good. Taking some home for a fresh fish dinner is great. However, going back day after day when the bite is hot can do damage on a 60 acre lake, especially in its current state of reestablishing a population that is mainly sustained by one year class within the last five. Future spring trap netting surveys will be used to monitor the Bluegill population to determine what kind of angling opportunities the lake can support.

A targeted survey using nine trap nets was performed in the spring of 2017 to collect information on the Bluegill population in East Chub Lake. This was the first investigation since stocking adult Bluegill in spring of 2015. Bluegill, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch were sampled with the nets. Bluegill lakes in the Finland Area tend to have small populations of fast growing fish that may have an occasional strong year class. The spawning habitat in East Chub Lake for Bluegill appears to be good, but the cool climate of the northeastern Minnesota may be a limiting factor in successful reproduction. A total of seven Bluegill were captured during the survey. Size ranged from 3.9 to 5.2 inches with an average weight of 0.06 pounds. All the fish were aged to 2 years and from natural reproduction in the lake. Although relatively few Bluegill were caught, these results are promising because they indicate the fish stocked in spring of 2015 were able to spawn successfully that summer. Continued monitoring will determine the long term success of the Bluegill population in the lake.

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

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

East Chub has a maximum depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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