Eikala

Eikala Lake is a nine-acre designated trout lake managed for Brook Trout with 500 fingerlings stocked each fall. Anglers can access the lake by turning off Hwy 1 onto USFS Road 1491 (Deep Lake Road) and following that for 1.3 miles then following USFS Road 1491C (suitable for ATV, snowmobile, or foot travel) for 1.3 miles to a parking area; from this parking area there is a 0.25-mile-long walking trail to the lake. The lake was surveyed in October of 2025 to evaluate stocking and document the angling opportunities the lake provides. A total of six Brook Trout were sampled in gillnets, which is within the range of catches that have been observed in previous surveys. These trout ranged in length from nine to almost 19 inches with most fish having lengths between 11 and 14 inches. Based on the catch, fish from at least three separate stocking events were present in the lake at the time of the survey. The stocking regime continues to maintain a fishable population of Brook Trout in the lake and the habitat in the lake allows trout to survive from year to year and grow to catchable sizes. Brook Trout catches from the last two surveys of Eikala Lake have not been as high as recent surveys of other Brook Trout lakes in the area, but the lake still offers opportunities for anglers to catch larger fish compared to other area lakes.

Eikala Lake is a 9.2 acre designated stream trout lake managed for Brook Trout and located in the Superior National Forest. The maximum depth is 33 feet and it has fairly clear water. The lake is 11 miles northwest of Isabella. The access is a 0.25 mile hiking trail after a 1.3 mile trail off of the Deep Lake Road that is suitable to four wheel drive vehicles or ATVs. Shoreline angling is available along the bog and upland near the access. Brook Trout fingerlings are stocked annually in the fall. The lake has good habitat for trout and fish regularly survive and grow for multiple years. While only two Brook Trout were captured in standard gill nets in 2019 both measured over 15 inches, a 1.7 pound male and a 2.4 pound female. The lake receives light fishing pressure due to its small size and remote location but anglers that make the trip may be rewarded with a quality sized Brook Trout.

Eikala Lake is a designated stream trout lake that is stocked annually with fingerling Brook Trout. A survey was completed in 2019 to monitor the amount of cool, well oxygenated habitat (oxythermal habitat) available for trout during the summer. Automated temperature loggers were suspended over the deepest spot in the lake at depths of six, nine, twelve, and fifteen feet below the surface to record water temperatures hourly throughout the summer. In addition, temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles were collected on several occasions to determine how deep well oxygenated water occurred. Survey results indicate summer dissolved oxygen concentrations and water temperatures were not limiting factors in Eikala Lake in 2019. Similar surveys completed in recent years suggest the lake currently maintains suitable habitat for stream trout throughout the open water season. Oxythermal habitat conditions will continue to be monitored to evaluate the suitability of Eikala Lake for Brook Trout management.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brook Trout in Eikala. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Eikala has a maximum depth of 33 feet and a mean depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Eikala is from 2025.

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