Cadotte

Cadotte Lake is a 294-acre lake with 230 (78%) littoral acres and a maximum depth of 18 feet. The lake is located near Fairbanks, MN and lies within the Superior National Forest. The public access is located on the west side of the lake and is near a U.S. Forest Service campground. Walleye is the primary management species and Yellow Perch is the secondary management species. Cadotte was last surveyed in 2011. Cadotte was surveyed during the summer of 2020 to update information about fish populations. The Walleye reproduce naturally in Cadotte and the lake has not been stocked since 1986. Walleye abundance of 9.9 per gillnet lift was down from 2011 (18.2) but still above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was 14.6 inches and growth was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. The proportion of adult Walleye captured that exceeded quality size (greater than 15 inches) was 29%. Back to back strong year-classes were evident from 2016 and 2017 but representation from the 2013 through 2015 year-classes was poor. In addition to Walleye, Cadotte Lake offers quality angling opportunities for Yellow Perch. Yellow Perch abundance of 20.1 per gillnet lift was down from 2011 (54.1) but still above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Yellow Perch average length was 7.7 inches and growth was fast compared to other Duluth Area lakes. The proportion of adult Yellow Perch captured that exceeded preferred size (greater than 10 inches) was 21%. Bluegill were scarce and small and no Black Crappies were captured. Northern Pike abundance of 1.4 per gillnet lift was up from 2011 (0.9) and average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Northern Pike average length was 25.1 inches and one large specimen was captured that exceeded 42 inches in length.

Cadotte Lake is a 325 acre lake with 230 (71%) littoral acres and a maximum depth of 18 feet. The lake is located near Fairbanks, MN and lies within the Superior National Forest. The public access is located on the west side of the lake through the U.S. Forest Service campground. Walleye is the primary management species and yellow perch is the secondary management species. Cadotte was last surveyed in 2003. Cadotte was assessed during the summer of 2011 to update information about fish populations. Walleye abundance of 18.2 per gillnet lift was up from 2003 (14.1) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was 14.6 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2001 through 2010 were represented with strong 2006 and 2009 year-classes. One other specimen was captured from the 1995 year-class. In conjunction with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, a walleye population estimate was derived. The estimate was 5,390 walleyes greater than 10 inches in Cadotte Lake. Yellow perch abundance of 54.1 per gillnet lift was up from 2003 (21.8) and was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Yellow perch average length was 7.5 inches and growth was fast compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2004 through 2010 were represented. Two other older perch were captured, one from 1997 and the other from the 2001 year-class. Northern pike abundance of 0.9 per gillnet lift was up from 2003 (0.4) and below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Northern pike average length was 24.8 inches but not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. All year-classes from 2006 to 2009 were represented. Bluegill abundance of 0.8 per trapnet lift was up from 2003 (0.7) and was below average when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of sampled bluegills was 4.6 inches but not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. Bluegill from the 2003, 2007 and 2010 year-classes were sampled. One small largemouth bass (4.9 inches) was sampled with electrofishing equipment. The catch rate of largemouth bass was 1.5 fish per hour of electrofishing on-time. No prior largemouth bass electrofishing assessments have been conducted on Cadotte Lake. One other 7.8 inch largemouth bass was captured in a trapnet. Not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth. Largemouth bass had not been sampled in any of the last nine investigations since 1958. Other fish species sampled include burbot, Iowa darter, Johnny darter, mottled sculpin, common shiner, golden shiner, pumpkinseed and white sucker. Cadotte Lake was included in an index of biotic integrity (IBI) assessment in 2011. In addition to standard gillnets and trapnets, beach seines and backpack electrofishing equipment were used to index species richness of the nearshore lake habitat.

Cadotte Lake is a 325 acre lake with 230 (71%) littoral acres and a maximum depth of 18 feet. The lake is located near Fairbanks, MN and lies within the Superior National Forest. The public access is located on the west side of the lake through the U.S. Forest Service campground. Walleye is the primary management species and yellow perch is the secondary management species. Walleye abundance was 14.1 fish/gillnet. Historically, walleye catch rates ( > 12 fish/gillnet) have been above average for Minnesota lakes of similar type. The mean length of age 4 fish was 13.8 inches which represents average growth for Duluth Area lakes. The mean length was 13.1 inches, an increase from 12.6 inches in 1995. Nine age classes (age 1-9) were present in the assessment with strong representation from the age 2 fish (27% of the catch). Yellow perch abundance was 21.8 fish/gillnet. This was above average for Minnesota lakes of similar type and reflected a historical trend of high yellow perch catch rates. Growth was fast for Duluth Area lakes with a mean length of age 4 fish being 9.4 inches. The mean length of fish increased from 8.1 inches in 1995 to 10.4 inches in 2003. Eight age classes (ages 1-8) were present with strong representation from age 2 and age 6 fish, 32% and 20% of the catch, respectively. White sucker gillnet abundance was 5.1 fish/gillnet. This was a decrease from 10.8 fish/gillnet in 1995 and was average for Minnesota lakes of similar type. Other species sampled during the assessment included bluegill, black crappie and common shiner. Cadotte Lake has a simple, but productive fishery. Walleye and yellow perch catch rates continue to be above average for Duluth Area lakes and due to high water clarity and submerged structures present a challenge to anglers. The abundance of various sizes of yellow perch indicate that they can provide forage to walleye was well as another target species for anglers.

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

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

Cadotte has a maximum depth of 18 feet and a mean depth of 11.3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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