Stewart

A night electrofishing survey was completed on Stewart Lake on June 16th 2022 to determine if Largemouth Bass are present. No Largemouth Bass were sampled despite targeting a time and location when we would expect to catch bass. Other fish sampled during the survey included a small number of Walleye ranging in length from seven to 16 inches along with a single Black Crappie measuring 11 inches. Bluegill and Yellow Perch were also observed, but none were sampled since they were not the target of this survey.

Stewart Lake is located about fifteen miles north of Two Harbors. There is a county owned public water access with concrete log boat ramp, mooring dock, and parking for up to six vehicles located at the end of County Road 131. The lake has an area of 238 acres with a maximum depth of 20 feet and an average depth of 6 feet. Boaters should use caution while navigating from the public access to the main part of the lake as there are several shallow and rocky areas between the islands. The lake provides anglers opportunities to catch Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie. A lake survey was conducted the week of August 3, 2020 to monitor the fish community in the lake. Walleye catch was within the normal range compared to similar lakes. Natural reproduction continues to support a Walleye population with age analysis identifying several year classes. The average Walleye sampled was 17 inches long and weighed two pounds. Northern Pike catch was also within the normal range when compared to similar lakes. Size was very good with an average length of 24 inches and weight of 3.9 pounds. Several year classes were identified indicating consistent natural reproduction recently. The current population offers anglers good opportunities for Northern Pike. Bluegill catch was higher than would be expected compared to similar lakes. Average length was 6.5 inches with a maximum observed length of 8 inches. Bluegill recruit consistently, but year class strength appears to be quite variable. Most panfish in the lake are shorter than 7 inches, anglers should limit harvest of larger individuals to protect and improve panfish size structure. Yellow Perch catch was well above the normal range compared to similar lakes. Average length of perch was 7.5 inches with 10 percent of the catch 9 inches or longer and the longest fish measuring almost 11 inches. Yellow Perch recruitment is also consistent and growth is normal compared to other area lakes. The Yellow Perch population is large enough and has fish of large enough size to be worth targeting by anglers. Black Crappie catch was similar to previous surveys of the lake and within the normal range. Average length was just under ten inches with a maximum observed length of 12 inches. White Sucker and Hybrid Sunfish were also sampled in large numbers during the survey.

Stewart is a 248-acre lake with 247 (99%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 24 feet. The lake is located 10 miles north of Two Harbors, MN off County #131 and has a county administered, concrete, back-in access. Stewart Lake young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye have been indexed annually since 2009 to examine the extent of natural reproduction following the discontinuation of Walleye stocking. Collection of these data is important as an early indicator of Walleye year-class strength for Stewart Lake. One YOY Walleye that was 5.6 inches in length was captured during the 2014 investigation for a catch rate of 1.0 per hour of electrofishing. The catch rate from prior investigations ranged from 9.8 in 2011 to 23.4 per hour in 2013. Average size from prior investigations ranged from 5.1 inches in 2009 to 6.2 inches in 2010 and 2012. The below average abundance of YOY Walleye suggests that a below average year-class from 2014 is possible. Three age-1 Walleye were sampled in 2014 for a catch rate of 9.5 per hour of electrofishing. Catch rates of age-1 Walleye from previous investigations ranged from 0.0 per hour in 2009 and 2010 to 4.3 per hour in 2011. The above average abundance of age-1 Walleye sampled in 2014 suggests that an above average 2013 year-class is likely. After six years of annual indexing after the discontinuation stocking, these YOY investigations have documented that consistent Walleye natural reproduction is occurring in Stewart Lake. However, recruitment to age-1 based on the YOY assessments has been sporadic and gillnet catch during population assessments since stocking was discontinued in 2002 has declined to historic lows.

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

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

Stewart has a maximum depth of 20 feet and a mean depth of 6.4 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Stewart is from 2020.

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