White

A standard survey was conducted on White Lake during the summer of 2017 to evaluate the Walleye stocking program and update information about other fish populations. Walleye and Black Crappie are the primary management species for White Lake. Walleye are stocked every other year in White Lake. Walleye abundance of 7.8 per gillnet lift was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was 14.8 inches. Anglers should expect good fishing for Walleye in 2018, with a strong 2015 year-class entering the fishery and several other older year-classes available. Black Crappie population density was below average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Although Black Crappie were scarce, average size was large at 14.0 inches. Due to low abundance, Black Crappie angling will be poor in 2018 and beyond until a good year-class is produced. Selective harvest is advised to protect remaining Black Crappie spawning stock. Yellow Perch and Rock Bass are very abundant in White Lake. Northern Pike abundance of 5.7 per gillnet lift was near average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 22.9 inches.

White is a 122-acre lake with 99 (81%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 29 feet. The lake is located 11 miles northwest of Two Harbors, Minnesota off Highway #44. The lake has a DNR administered, gravel, back-in access located on the southwest shore. White has been actively managed for walleye by stocking of fingerlings or fry from 1947 through 2006. Most recently, walleye fingerlings have been stocked in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006 at a rate of two pounds per littoral acre. Walleye abundance of 10.0 per gillnet lift was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye gillnet catch rates from six investigations since 1956 have ranged from 3.0 to 26.3 per lift. Mean size of sampled walleye was 15.5 inches and although rate of growth has slowed over the last three investigations, it is still considered average. The last three investigations have shown that between 79 and 89% of the aged walleye were born in years that walleye fingerlings were stocked. Northern pike abundance of 3.5 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average and maximum size of 25.1 and 35.9 inches was considered large. Rate of growth, which increased over the last three investigations, was considered fast in 2007. All year-classes from 2000 through 2006 were represented. Largemouth bass abundance of 9.4 per hour of electrofishing was considered low compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Average size of 12.3 inches was relatively large and growth was fast. Four year-classes were represented from 2001 through 2005. A total of 29 young-of-the-year largemouth bass with a mean length of 1.8 inches were sampled during shoreline seining. Black crappie abundance of 5.2 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size of 10.0 inches was very large and growth was fast. The 2003 year-class was strong and five year-classes were represented from 2001 through 2006. Other fish species sampled include emerald shiner, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, spottail shiner and yellow perch. Information was collected on aquatic vegetation, substrate and water quality. Diversity of aquatic macrophytes was low with a total of 22 species or species groups identified along 10 transects. Bushy pondweed was identified along 90% of the transects and was the only species that had an abundance rating of common. All other species or species groups had an abundance rating of rare and only three had frequency of occurrence ratings greater than 50%. The shoalwater substrates most often encountered were sand, gravel and rubble, which were identified along 70, 80 and 60% of the transects, respectively. Results of laboratory water analysis indicate White is a slightly alkaline, very soft water lake with low fertility.

White Lake is a 122 acre lake with 99 (81%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 29 feet. The lake is located 11 miles northwest of Two Harbors, MN off County Highway #44 and has a State-administered, gravel, back-in public access. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked in 1990, 1992, 1994, 2001 and 2002. Walleye fry have been stocked in 1995, 1997 and 1999. The primary management species is walleye, with secondary management for black crappie. Walleye abundance of 3.0 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Of the 27 walleye aged from the 2002 investigation, 15 were born in years that fingerlings were stocked and 9 were born in years that fry were stocked. Mean length of 12.8 inches was small. Black crappie abundance of 2.2 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of 8.9 inches was large. Growth was average with length at age four of 7.4 inches. Age analysis revealed steady recruitment from 1996 through 2001 and no strong year-classes. Northern pike abundance of 2.2 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of 23.5 inches was large. Growth was average with length at age four of 22.7 inches. Age analysis revealed a strong 1998 year-class and all but one year-class represented from 1995 through 2001. Yellow perch abundance of 21.3 per gillnet lift was much higher than average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of 6.6 inches was small. Other fish species sampled in White Lake include largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass and white sucker. Many adult largemouth bass were observed in shallow water during the investigation. Management for walleye on White Lake has shifted from the stocking of fingerlings to fry, and then back to fingerlings. Stocking of walleye fingerlings will continue unless it is determined to be inneffective. Black crappie abundance declined significantly since the 1998 assessment. It is uncertian whether walleye management is negatively affecting black crappie abundance.

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

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

White has a maximum depth of 29 feet and a mean depth of 8.5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in White is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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