Loeb

Loeb Lake is a small 8.5-acre (7.6 littoral acre), class 30 lake located entirely within Marydale Park in the City of St. Paul. There is on-street parking, a walking path around the lake, a playground, and picnic tables/grills. The lake is rather deep for its size, with a maximum depth of 28 feet. The water is clear and supports abundant vegetation. Shore-fishing access is good along the east shore where there is a fishing pier and a quick drop-off. The rest of the lake is difficult for angling due to brushy shoreline and shallow water near shore. An aeration system is operated by the City of Saint Paul to prevent fish winterkill. The 2024 summer DO profile indicated that fish may be limited to areas of the lake that are 7' deep and shallower due to lake stratification and anoxia below the thermocline. Loeb Lakes is primarily managed for Bluegill Sunfish and Black Crappie. Bluegill Sunfish were sampled at a rate of 3.6 fish per trap net, which falls below the first quartile for this lake class. This represents a slight decrease from the previous catch rate of 4.0 fish per trap net in 2014. Historically, Bluegill catch rates at Loeb Lake have been low, despite annual stocking of adult Bluegill from 1996 through 2015. The only exceptions were the 2000 and 2009 surveys, which recorded catch rates above the third quartile. The 2024 sample showed modest fish sizes, with lengths ranging from 2.99 to 5.98 inches and a mean length of 4.53 inches. Black Crappie were sampled at a rate of 4.2 fish per trap net, which falls between the first quartile and median for this lake class. This is an increase from the average catch rate of 1.87 fish per trap net across the last five surveys (since 2000). Black Crappie were not present in trap nets during the 2014 survey, though they were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 2.0 fish per net. In 2024, the gill net catch rate increased to 22.0 fish per net . Crappie captured in trap nets ranged from 4.25 to 8.19 inches, with a mean length of 4.84 inches. Those sampled in gill nets ranged from 4.33 to 4.88 inches. Black Crappie have historically been present in low numbers in Loeb Lake. In May 2024, two months prior to the 2024 survey, 2,343 adult Black Crappie were stocked, which likely contributed to the higher catch rates observed. Black Bullheads were sampled at a rate of 29.0 fish per gill net (between the median and third quartile) and 2.6 fish per trap net (between the first quartile and median), both consistent with historic catch rates. Yellow Bullheads were sampled for the first time in 2024, with a catch rate of 6.6 fish per trap net, falling above the third quartile for this lake class.

Status of the fishery Loeb Lake is a small Lake in Marydale Park in St. Paul. There is on-street parking, a walking path around the lake, a playground, and picnic tables/grills. The lake is rather deep for its size, with a maximum depth of 28 feet. The water is clear and supports abundant vegetation. Shore-fishing access is good along the east shore where there is a fishing pier and a quick drop-off. The rest of the lake is difficult for angling due to brushy shoreline and shallow water near shore. An aeration system operates after ice formation to prevent winterkill of fish and ice anglers need to be cautious. The 2014 summer dissolved oxygen profile indicated fish may be limited to areas of the lake that are 7' deep and less due to lake stratification and anoxia below the thermocline. This netting assessment found low to moderate abundance of most species. Bluegill Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Green Sunfish and Pumpkinseed Sunfish were the most common species, but they were only moderately abundant for lakes such as Loeb. Lengths ranged from 3 to 6 inches for all "sunfish", with average length being 4.35 inches. Black Crappie abundance was low, and the largest fish sampled was just over 8 inches. Black Crappie size was better than average for Loeb lake. Black Bullhead were sampled in low numbers, with just one large 11 inch fish sampled. Largemouth Bass are present in numbers above average for Loeb Lake but growth was poor and the size was small, less than 10 inches. Walleye fingerlings are stocked regularly and abundance has been high in the past, however the current abundance is moderate. The average size of Walleye sampled was small but these fish were only one year old at the time of this survey. Channel Catfish have previously been stocked and may be present in low numbers, but none were sampled in 2014.

Loeb Lake is a small Lake in Marydale Park in St. Paul. There is on-street parking, a walking path around the lake, a playground, and picnic tables/grills. The lake is rather deep for its size, with a maximum depth of 28 feet. The water is clear and supports abundant vegetation. Shore-fishing access is good along the east shore where there is a fishing pier and a quick drop-off. The rest of the lake is difficult for angling due to brushy shoreline and shallow, weedy water near shore. An aeration system prevents winterkill of fish. Ice anglers need to be cautious. The lake is known to have poor ice conditions. This netting assessment found low abundance of most species. Bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish were the most common species, but they were only moderately abundant. Lengths ranged from 3.5 to 7 inches, with average length just under 6 inches. Black crappie abundance was low, and the largest fish sampled was just under 7 inches. Black bullhead were sampled in low numbers, but were large, with lengths ranging from 9 to 11 inches. Largemouth bass and northern pike are present in low numbers. Only juvenile bass from 3.5 to 6.5 inches were sampled. The one northern pike sampled was large - 31 inches. Walleye fry are stocked regularly and abundance has been high in the past, but current abundance is low. No walleye were sampled in this assessment. Channel catfish have previously been stocked and may be present in low numbers, but none were sampled.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Walleye, Hybrid Sunfish, and Green Sunfish in Loeb. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Loeb has a maximum depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Loeb has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.