Stub

Stub Lake is a 90-acre lake located seven miles northeast of Ely. The lake can be accessed via its outlet, which flows into Fall Lake northeast of the US Forest Service campground. There are several beaver dams along this route requiring adequate water levels to navigate, and there is a 10-rod portage to get into Stub Lake. The lake can also be accessed via 120-rod portage from a parking area off the Fernberg Rd (CR 18). The lake has a maximum depth of 20 feet and bog-stained water. Stub Lake was thermally stratified on June 4, 2024, with a surface temperature of 67 F and a bottom temperature of 52 F. Oxygen levels were adequate for gamefish to a depth of about 15 feet. There are several inlets to the lake, and the lone outlet flows out the north side to Fall Lake. Shoreline substrates are a mix of silt, muck, rubble, and boulders, and aquatic plants can grow to a depth of about 9 feet. The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 48.3 fish/net which was the highest catch rate recorded on Stub Lake. The yield was 20.8 pounds/net, which was slightly lower than average. Fish species sampled in gillnets included yellow perch, black crappie, northern pike, bluegill, white sucker, and common shiner. Trap nets caught fish at an overall rate of 61.7 fish/net which was average compared to past surveys on Stub Lake. Yield was 18.5 pounds/net which was also lower than the historic average. Trap net catches were dominated by bluegill, with modest numbers of black crappie, yellow perch, and northern pike. One white sucker and one common shiner were also captured in the trap nets. The bluegill trap net catch was 49.3 fish/net, which was average compared to past surveys on Stub but ranks as one of the higher catch rates in recent surveys throughout the Tower area. Gillnets also captured an above-average number of bluegill, although that net is not designed to sample bluegill effectively. Lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches with an average of almost 6 inches. Additionally, 25% of the total bluegill catch was at least 7 inches in length. Ages ranged from 3 to 10 years old. Growth rates were good with the average fish approaching 6 inches by age-4. Black crappie were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 5.1 fish/net, the highest catch rate for the lake. As with bluegill, additional crappie were also sampled in the gillnets. Lengths ranged from just under 5 inches to almost 13 inches with an average of about 8 inches. Growth rates were below average for the area, as it took about four years for fish to reach 7 inches. Ages ranged from 2 to 13 years. The northern pike gillnet catch was 5.0 fish/net which was above average for the lake. Additional pike were captured in trap nets as well. Overall, lengths ranged from 16 to 35 inches with an average size of 23 inches. Although not present in this survey, pike exceeding 40 inches have been sampled in Stub Lake previously. Yellow perch were sampled in both gillnets (28.7 fish/net) and trap nets (4.4 fish/net). The trap net catch rate was about average, but the gillnet catch rate was the highest ever recorded. Lengths ranged from 5 to 8 inches with an average size of about 6 inches.

Stub Lake is located approximately 7 miles NE of Ely. It has a surface area of 85 acres and a maximum depth of 20 ft. Aquatic vegetation is abundant and grows to depths near 10 ft. Access is primarily by a 120 rod portage from a parking area off CR 18. During periods of high water the outlet to Fall Lake can be navigated and a short 10 rod portage must be taken. There are no campsites present. Bluegill numbers in 2012 (131.0/trap net) were considerably higher than the average when compared to similar lakes. The average bluegill sampled was 6 inches long and about 6 years old. The growth rate was slower than average compared to other lakes in this class. The largest bluegill sampled was 10.2 inches. Anglers are strongly encouraged to release the larger bluegill to preserve the quality size structure that is currently present. Black crappie numbers in 2012 (4.0/trap net) were slightly above the average when compared to similar lakes. The average crappie sampled was 8.7 inches long and about 6 years old. The growth rate was slower than average compared to other lakes in this class. The largest crappie sampled was 10.9 inches. Northern pike, largemouth bass, rock bass and yellow perch were also sampled. Yellow perch numbers (4.8/trap net) were higher than average when compared to similar lakes. The largest perch sampled was 9.1 inches.

Northern pike and yellow perch are present in above average numbers; white sucker are present in average numbers; bluegill, black crappie, and walleye are present in below average numbers. Gill net sampling may under represent the number of Centrarchid present. White sucker and yellow perch sizes are small. Growth of yellow perch is slow.

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

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

Stub has a maximum depth of 20 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Stub is from 2024.

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