West Chub

West Chub Lake is 115 acres in size with a maximum depth of about eleven feet and is located in the Superior National Forest. Access to the lake is a long carry along a trail to the southwest shore from a forest road that starts on private property. A survey was completed in July 2022 to monitor the status of the current fish community. Netting failed to capture any Northern Pike and the catch rates for several forage species were very high. These results indicate Northern Pike were unable to sustain a population since the previous survey of the lake in 1999. The exact cause of these changes is unknown, but the most likely culprit is beaver activity restricting fish movement between connected waterbodies coupled with low water conditions. There are no plans to restock the lake at this time because public access is restricted to users that obtain permission from private landowners. It is possible connectivity between East and West Chub could be restored during high water conditions to supply the lake with a top predator to balance the fish community.

Fish collected from DNR test nets in West Chub Lake during the 1999 population assessment were: northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfish, and white sucker. Northern pike were sampled in above average numbers compared to other lakes in this class. They averaged 19.2 inches (1.5 pounds) and ranged from 10.3 inches to 26.4 inches (3.9 pounds). Bluegill numbers have been increasing to the point that now there is an average population present. They averaged 6.7 inches with fish up to 10.5 inches (1.0 pound) sampled. Approximately 25% of the fish were 8.0 inches or larger. Yellow perch are very abundant and there are a fair number of keeper size fish in the 9.0 inch to 11.0 inch range present. The average size of yellow perch was 7.2 inches with a maximum size of 11.1 inches. West Chub Lake is in the Superior National Forest approximately 14 miles northwest of Isabella, MN. The lake has a maximum depth of 12 feet, but most of the lake is less than 6 feet. The lake is not being stocked and the fish population is maintained through natural reproduction.

Test nets in 1994 indicate northern pike abundance remains high in West Chub Lake compared to similar lakes. Northern pike up to 37.1 inches (12.5 lbs) were sampled, with 34% of the catch exceeding 24.0 inches (3.0 lbs). In recent years bluegill sunfish have become well established and although numbers were down from the previous survey, more fish greater than 8.0 inches were sampled.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for West Chub. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

West Chub has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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