Joseph

Joseph is a 76-acre lake located 4 miles northwest of Babbitt off a logging road from County Road 490. In the Tower Area the lake is comparable to Flash, Little, and Whisper. Joseph is unique in supporting quality populations of bluegill and largemouth bass in tandem with healthy walleye numbers. It has a maximum depth of 23 feet and clear water. Aquatic vegetation is abundant, especially in the shallow eastern bay. The lake was thermally stratified during the survey, and oxygen sufficient for fish declined after 12 feet. Secchi visibility was 9.0 feet, and the lake had a green tint. The access into Joseph is a steep and narrow dirt ramp that is prone to washout in heavy rain. Four-wheel drive and a small boat are recommended. Parking is limited and the turnaround is also used as a camping area. Only the northwest portion of the lake is in public ownership, but development is limited to a pair of small cabins. The surrounding hills are fringed with a mixed jack pine/birch forest, and Joseph is a notably pleasant backcountry lake. Total catch in gill nets (30.7/net) was high compared to past surveys of Joseph. Northern pike, bluegill, and walleye were most common, with low numbers of largemouth bass, white sucker, and yellow perch rounding out the catch. Walleye abundance (8.3/net) was average for the lake, and past catches have been stable. Lengths ranged from 7 to 23 inches with an average length of 17 inches, which is slightly low for Joseph. Walleye ages ranged from 1 to 16 years old. Of 28 walleyes aged, 25 (89%) were from stocked years. The 2021-year class alone represented 46% of the catch. Walleye growth was fast for the Tower Area, with fish reaching 16 inches by age four. The largest walleye of the 2025 survey was 28 inches out of a trap net. Northern pike numbers (10.3/net) were above average. Lengths ranged from 15 inches to 33 inches with an average length of 24 inches. Many pike captured in the survey were infected with neascus, also known as black spot. Total catch in trap nets (18.3/net) was typical for Joseph. Bluegill abundance has been the primary driver of trap net catch in recent decades, and in 2025 they represented 90% of the catch. Northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch were present in low numbers. Bluegill abundance (16.4/net) was higher than the long-term average, but lower than in recent surveys. Lengths ranged from 3.5 to 9.5 inches with an average length close to 7 inches. Fish greater than eight inches constituted 22% of the catch. Bluegill ages ranged from two to nine years old. Recruitment was consistent aside from a blank 2018 year class. Fish from 2023, 2021, and 2020 represented most of the catch. Growth was exceptional for the Tower Area. Night electrofishing resulted in a largemouth bass catch rate of 21.0/hour. Lengths ranged from 2.5 to 18 inches with a mean length of 11 inches. Largemouth bass aged from scales ranged from 1 to 14 years old, and growth was slow for the Tower Area.

Joseph Lake is located approximately 5 miles NW of Babbitt in the Superior National Forest. This small lake has good water clarity and aquatic plants are commonly found in its waters. There is a gravel boat ramp for access located off the Fishing Lakes Trail. Parking space is limited and anglers often use a portion of the parking lot for overnight camping. A small boat or similar watercraft is recommended for use. Walleye, bluegill, northern pike and white sucker were sampled during the 2018 survey of Joseph Lake. One yellow perch was tangled in the lead of a trap net and several largemouth bass were observed during the vegetation sampling. Walleye numbers in 2018 (8.3/gill net) were above the long term average (6.7/gill net) for this lake and above average (5.5/gill net) compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average walleye sampled was a respectable 19.4 inches. Walleye lengths ranged from 15.6 inches to a maximum of 27.2 inches. Walleye fry are currently stocked every third year in Joseph Lake and in 2018 ninety-six percent of the walleye aged were from years where stocking occurred. Bluegill numbers in 2018 (17.9/trap net) were above the long term average (5.7/trap net) for this lake and above average (6.7/trap net) compared to other similar area lakes. The average bluegill sampled was 7.1 inches which is larger than the historic average length of 6.2 inches. Approximately 47 percent of the bluegill sampled in the trap nets from 2018 were 8 inches or larger with a maximum length of 10.0 inches recorded. Northern pike numbers in 2018 (6.7/gill net) were above the long term average (5.0/gill net) for this lake and above average (4.5/gill net) compared to other similar area lakes. The average pike sampled was 22.3 inches which is larger than the historic average length of 19.1 inches. The largest pike sampled in 2018 was from a trap net and measured 26.6 inches.

Joseph Lake is located five miles northwest of Babbit in central St. Louis County. There is a county designated forest access road to the public access on the northeast corner of the lake. After December 1st, only snowmobiles can use the access road. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Joseph Lake is in lake class 13. Other area lakes in the same lake class include Whisper, Buck, Madden, and Little Lakes. Lakes in this lake class are small, shallow, and have high amounts of area less than 15 feet deep. Joseph Lake is stocked by the DNR with walleye fry every third year. In 2011, walleye abundance was typical of other lakes in the same lake class. Upon aging walleye, it was found that 17 of 20 sampled walleye were from the 2009 year class, a stocked year. Walleye ranged in length from 13.7 inches to 27.9 inches with a mean length and weight of 15.8 inches and 1.5 pounds. Growth was above average. At age two, Joseph walleye averaged a full inch longer than walleye from other lakes in the same lake class. Northern pike abundance dropped dramatically from the last survey in 2001. With the exception of 2011, there had been an upward trend in abundance since 1966 assessment. The three northern pike sampled in 2011 were 20.2, 20.7, and 28.9 inches long. White sucker abundance was down from 2001 findings. The 2011 mean length of 18.4 inches was up from 2001 (11.8 inches). Bluegill abundance increased dramatically from 2001 and was well above what is typically found in other lakes in the same lake class. Bluegill ranged in length from 3.6 inches to 8.9 inches with a mean length and weight of 6.9 inches and 0.3 pound. Bluegill were age 2 to 10 with age 5 (2006) composing 41% of the catch and age six (2005), 31%. Bluegill growth was average. With firm substrate and adequate amounts submerged plants around most of the lake, Joseph Lake appears to have suitable habitat for spawning bluegill. Nine largemouth bass were captured that ranged in length from 4.8 to 15.3 inches and were composed of four different year classes. Joseph Lake was selected for fish index of biotic integrity (IBI) sampling. This index is designed to help determine the overall health of the biological fish community of the lake. This type of sampling will typically capture the non-game species and young-of-year game species. Ten different species were identified. Iowa darter, golden shiner, blacknose shiner, and northern redbelly dace were non-game species sampled. Anglers should practice selective harvest when fishing. By keeping the medium-sized fish and releasing the larger fish, a quality size structure can be maintained and even improved. "Releasing fish will grow on you."

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Pumpkinseed in Joseph. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Joseph has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Joseph is from 2025.

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