Indian

Indian is a 59-acre lake with 49 acres (83%) of littoral area and a maximum depth of 19 feet. Indian Lake has a MDNR administered, concrete, back-in public access off County Road #44 on the Indian Lake Campground Road. Indian Lake is in the Superior National Forest and has a Forest Service Campground and swimming beach on the south and east shores. Indian Lake is connected to the Cloquet River along the west shore of the lake. A population assessment was conducted on Indian Lake during the summer of 2009 to update information on the fishery. Walleye abundance of 0.25 per gillnet lift had decreased since 1995 (1.0) and was still considered below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size of 22.2 inches was large. Walleye captured during the 2009 assessment were not aged. Northern pike abundance of 5.0 per gillnet lift, which had increased since 1995 (1.3), had risen to a level that was considered above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of 21.4 inches was considered average. Northern pike captured during the 2009 assessment were not aged. Yellow perch abundance of 2.8 per gillnet lift had increased since 1995 (0.8) and had also risen to what is considered average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size of 6.1 inches was considered small. Yellow perch captured during the 2009 assessment were not aged. Black crappie abundance of 4.8 per trapnet lift had increased since 1995 (0.7) and had also risen to what is considered average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of 7.8 inches was considered average. Length at age-4 of 7.4 inches represented typical growth when compared to other Duluth Area populations. Age analysis revealed all year-classes from 2001 through 2007 represented with a strong 2006 year-class. Bluegill abundance of 5.2 per trapnet lift had increased since 1995 (3.7) but remain typical compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of 6.4 inches was considered average. Length at age-4 of 5.8 inches represented fast growth when compared to other Duluth Area populations. Age analysis revealed all year-classes from 2002 through 2007 represented with strong 2004 and 2006 year-classes. Other fish species sampled include black bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, shorthead redhorse and white sucker.

Indian is a small, dark water lake near the mouth of where Indian Creek enters the Cloquet River. Water levels are greatly influenced by the Cloquet River. While there is diversity in the kinds of fish present, individual species numbers tend to be low. Panfish were the best represented in the 1995 investigation. The bluegills sampled had an average length of 7.4 inches and ranged between 6.1 and 9.1 inches. Black crappie numbers were lower, although they showed a nice average length of 10.7 inches and ranged between 9.7 and 12.2 inches. Other species sampled at low abundance included: northern pike, white sucker, walleye, shorthead redhorse, yellow perch and pumpkinseed.

Black crappie are abundant in numbers with average growth rate. Bluegill and pumpkinseed are slightly above average in numbers. 75% of bluegill catch is age III with good growth rate. Northern pike population is low. Walleye numbers are below state and local averages. Spawning area is limited for walleye.

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

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

Indian has a maximum depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Indian is from 2009. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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