Wolf

Wolf Lake is a shallow, man-made reservoir located 15 miles northwest of Two Harbors, Minnesota. Wolf Lake is 456 acres, has a maximum depth of 12 feet, and is in lake class 12. The lake lies within both the Superior National Forest and the Cloquet Valley State Forest and is accessible by a public access at the south end of Forest Road 547 (Brimson Road). Wolf was surveyed during the summer of 2018 to update information about fish populations. Walleye have not been stocked into Wolf since 2000 because sufficient natural reproduction has been documented to sustain the Walleye fishery. Walleye abundance of 4.0 per gillnet lift was average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. The catch rate of 4.0 per gillnet lift is a historic high for Wolf, previous abundances ranged from 0.3 to 3.4 per lift. Walleye average size was 14.4 inches. Northern Pike abundance of 1.7 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 21.9 inches, but one large specimen exceeding 36 inches in length was captured. Black Crappie population abundance was average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes, but size was large. Black Crappie average length was 9.4 inches and fish over 12 inches were captured. Bluegill were scarce.

Wolf Lake is a shallow, man-made reservoir located 15 miles northwest of Two Harbors, Minnesota. Wolf Lake is 467 acres, has a maximum depth of 12 feet, and is in lake class 12. The lake lies within both the Superior National Forest and the Cloquet Valley State Forest and is accessible by a public access at the south end off forest road 547. Wolf Lake has been sampled 6 times since 1965, most recently in 2004. Wolf was surveyed during the summer of 2009 to update information about fish populations. Walleye have not been stocked into Wolf since 2000 because sufficient natural reproduction has been documented to sustain the walleye fishery. Walleye abundance of 3.3 per gillnet lift was up from 2001 (1.9) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye mean length was 12.8 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2000 to 2008 were represented. Sixty-seven percent of the walleye catch was from 2006-2007 year-classes. Northern pike abundance of 0.3 per gillnet lift was down from 2001 (1.4) and was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 19.6 inches but not enough individuals were sampled to evaluate stock density or growth. All year-classes from 2003 to 2008 were represented. Young-of-the-year (YOY) seining captured 3 YOY northern pike with an average length of 8.9 inches. The black crappie abundance of 3.2 per trapnet lift was up from 2001 (0.3) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black crappie average length was 9.4 inches and growth was fast when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2001 to 2006 were represented. YOY seining captured 1 YOY black crappie that was 1.6 inches long. Yellow perch abundance of 3.8 per gillnet lift was up slightly from 2001 (3.5) and was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length of perch was 7.4 inches and growth was average when compared to other Duluth Area lakes. All year-classes from 2002 through 2007 were represented. YOY seining captured 19 YOY yellow perch with an average length of 2.1 inches. Three YOY bluegill were captured during seining. Average length was 1.3 inches. Other fish species sampled included pumpkinseed sunfish, common shiner, fathead minnow, golden shiner and white sucker. Information was collected on aquatic vegetation, substrate and water quality. Twenty-two aquatic plant species or species groups were identified along 20 transects. Wild rice was the most frequently found plant (95% of transects) followed by yellow water-lily and sweetgale (90% and 85% of transects, respectively). Wild rice continues to expand its range on Wolf Lake since a seeding project was done in 1996 by DNR Wildlife. The 2001 population assessment estimated about 50 acres of wild rice coverage on Wolf Lake. About 168 acres of wild rice coverage on Wolf Lake was estimated for 2009 from aerial photography. The most common substrate types were detritus, muck and sand which were identified along 90%, 75% and 55% of the transects, respectively. Results of laboratory water analysis indicate Wolf is a slightly alkaline, moderately soft water lake with moderate fertility.

Wolf Lake is a shallow, man-made reservoir located 15 miles northwest of Two Harbors, Minnesota. Wolf Lake is 467 acres, has a maximum depth of 12 feet, and is in lake class 12. The lake lies within both the Superior National Forest and the Cloquet Valley State Forest and is accessible by a public access at the south end off forest road 547. Wolf Lake has been sampled 5 times since 1965. Walleye abundance of 1.9 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length was 14.8 inches and length at age four was 15.4 inches, which represents average to fast growth compared to other walleye populations in the Duluth Area. Age distribution was even, with 5 year classes from 1995 through 1999 represented. Only 31% of the walleye aged corresponded to fry stocked years. Northern pike abundance of 1.4 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota Lakes of similar type. Catch rates have remained relatively low over the past 5 investigations. Mean length was 17.4 inches, however growth rates were not evaluated from 2001 due to the small sample size. Growth rates from the 1994 investigation were slow, with individuals reaching 20.3 inches by age four. Four year classes were represented, but 77% of the northern pike sampled were from the 1998 year class. Black crappie abundance of 2.3 per gillnet lift was average and abundance of 0.3 per trapnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Although trapnets are the standard assessment gear for black crappie populations, occasionally gillnets provide a better sample and a more reliable abundance estimate. Mean length from the 2001 sample was 4.9 inches and length at age four was 7.0 inches, which represents average growth compared to other populations from within the Duluth Area. Age distribution was dominated by the 2000 year class, which accounted for 85% of the black crappie sampled. This year class should provide excellent future angling opportunities. Other fish species sampled include yellow perch, white sucker, pumpkinseed sunfish, and bluegill. Wild rice was very abundant during this investigation with coverage exceeding 50 acres of the main lake basin. These newly established wild rice beds are providing excellent fish habitat and every effort should be made to keep these beds intact.

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

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

Wolf has a maximum depth of 12 feet and a mean depth of 5 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Wolf is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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