Wood

Lake County

Near Prairie Portage

DOW: 38072900

WalleyeGood · 69Smallmouth BassGood · 50BluegillGood · 50

A 617-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County — best known for walleye and bass. Last surveyed 2015.

Fish Species (8)

Walleye

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

16.1"

Avg Weight

1.78 lbs

Catch rate: 6.6 per gill net · typical 3.2–13.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye69% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 31%Largest sampled 25"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 21, 2015	6.56	16.1"	1.78 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 10, 1986	2.00	-	1.01 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1980	15.00	-	1.05 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

13.8"

Avg Weight

1.60 lbs

Catch rate: 0.44 per gill net · typical 0.2–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 21, 2015	0.44	13.8"	1.60 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1980	0.50	-	1.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.4"

Avg Weight

0.34 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per gill net

Size of catchable bluegill20% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 80%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 21, 2015	0.56	6.4"	0.34 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 10, 1986	0.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.2–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1980	0.50	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 49

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.5"

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 2.4 per gill net · typical 4.7–15.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch41% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 59%Largest sampled 12"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 21, 2015	2.44	7.5"	0.29 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 10, 1986	1.50	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1980	15.00	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 44

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

20.1"

Avg Weight

1.81 lbs

Catch rate: 2.8 per gill net · typical 2–6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike12% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 88%Largest sampled 28"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 21, 2015	2.78	20.1"	1.81 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 10, 1986	6.00	-	2.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1980	10.50	-	1.69 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 10, 1986	0.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Good · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

15.8"

Avg Weight

2.28 lbs

Catch rate: 4.4 per gill net · typical 3–11 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 21, 2015	4.44	15.8"	2.28 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 10, 1986	8.00	-	1.73 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1980	22.00	-	1.39 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

September 21, 2015Wood Lake is located approximately 12 miles NE of Ely in the BWCAW. Aquatic plants are commonly found throughout this relatively shallow lake and the…

Wood Lake is located approximately 12 miles NE of Ely in the BWCAW. Aquatic plants are commonly found throughout this relatively shallow lake and the rocky shorelines change quickly to softer bottoms out from shore. The landscape is covered with a mixed forest of birch, aspen and balsam fir on gently rolling hills. The most common access is by a 3/4 mile portage from the Fernberg Road (CR18). There are 4 designated USFS campsites surrounding the lake. Wood Lake also receives a fair amount of day use from visitors during summer and winter. Walleye numbers in 2015 (6.6/gill net) were slightly below average compared to other similar lakes in the area and almost identical to the long term average for all surveys on this lake. The average walleye sampled was 16.5 inches long and about 4 years old. The largest walleye sampled was 25.9 inches long. Northern pike abundance in 2015 (2.8/gill net) was slightly below average compared to other similar lakes in the area and below the long term average (5.9/gill net) for all surveys on this lake. The average pike sampled was 20.6 inches and the largest pike sampled was 28.2 inches long. Smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and white sucker numbers in 2015 were similar to the long term averages for all surveys on this lake. Smallmouth bass (0.4/gill net) and particularly bluegill (0.6/gill net) are likely more abundant than the gill net catch indicates. The largest perch sampled was 12.2 inches long.

September 10, 1986Northern pike and white sucker are present in above average numbers; yellow perch and walleye are present in below average numbers. Some large norther…

Northern pike and white sucker are present in above average numbers; yellow perch and walleye are present in below average numbers. Some large northern pike are present. Pumpkinseed and bluegill sunfish are also present. Walleye natural reproduction is occurring and fry stocking seems to have little effect. Smallmouth bass and rock bass, present in previous assessments, were not captured in this assessment.

July 21, 1980Composed of above average populations of walleyes, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch. Rock bass and smallmouth bass appear to be presen…

Composed of above average populations of walleyes, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch. Rock bass and smallmouth bass appear to be present in below average numbers. The walleye population is composed mostly of Age I-IV fish. Growth on those Walleyes is good.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Wood?

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

Is there public access at Wood?

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

How deep is Wood?

Wood has a maximum depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Wood last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Wood is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.