Tamarack

St. Louis County

Near Burntside Lake

DOW: 69031100

Northern PikeGood · 57PumpkinseedGood · 53Black CrappieGood · 51

A 68-acre lake near Burntside Lake in St. Louis County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2017.

Fish Species (9)

Northern Pike

Good · 57

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.3"

Avg Weight

2.44 lbs

Catch rate: 4.3 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike16% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 84%Largest sampled 33"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2017	4.33	19.3"	2.44 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 11, 2017	1.56	19.3"	1.72 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 1985	1.00	-	1.35 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Good · 53

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2017	0.22	6.0"	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 51

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size

15.0"

Avg Weight

1.80 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 1.6–6.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2017	0.11	15.0"	1.80 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.25 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1985	0.33	-	0.25 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size

13.3"

Avg Weight

1.86 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable largemouth bass100% keeper-size (12"+)

All keeper-sizeLargest sampled 17"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2017	0.33	13.3"	1.86 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 2017	0.33	13.3"	1.65 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Average · 45

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.8–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2017	0.33	26.3"	6.90 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 1985	1.17	-	0.57 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 1985	0.50	-	2.30 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 32

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.1"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 19.9 per trap net · typical 4.3–34.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill3% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 97%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2017	19.89	5.1"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 11, 2017	3.00	5.1"	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 25, 1985	0.17	-	0.60 lbs	Standard trap nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 32

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.7"

Avg Weight

0.35 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2017	0.33	6.7"	0.35 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Average · 41

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1.2–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 11, 2017	0.22	15.5"	2.07 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 1985	2.50	-	3.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 1985	0.50	-	2.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 11, 2017Tamarack Lake is located approximately 11 miles W of Ely in the Superior National Forest. The surrounding landscape is dominated by a coniferous fores…

Tamarack Lake is located approximately 11 miles W of Ely in the Superior National Forest. The surrounding landscape is dominated by a coniferous forest with rock outcroppings common. There are several private cabins located near the lake primarily along the N and W shores. There is no public access present. Results from the 2017 survey of Tamarack Lake indicate a fish community where bluegill and northern pike are common. Other species sampled in relatively low abundances include largemouth bass and walleye. One black crappie was also sampled. Yellow perch were observed in pike stomach samples and reported by a property owner. Bluegill numbers in 2017 (19.9/trap net) were higher than the long term average (0.9/ trap net) for Tamarack Lake and higher than average compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average bluegill sampled was 5.6 inches long with less than 3 percent of the bluegill sampled 8 inches or larger. Northern pike numbers in 2017 (4.3/gill net) were higher than the long term average (1.0/gill net) and above average compared to other similar area lakes. The average pike sampled was 20.6 inches and largest pike was 33.5 inches long.

July 25, 1985White sucker are present in above average numbers; northern pike and walleye are present in average numbers; bluegill sunfish and yellow perch are pre…

White sucker are present in above average numbers; northern pike and walleye are present in average numbers; bluegill sunfish and yellow perch are present in below average numbers. Northern pike are smaller than average and walleye are larger than average. Walleye natural reproduction is successful in most years. Walleye growth is faster than average (11.0

August 7, 1981Walleye and northern pike are present in above average numbers (from trapnet catches) while suckers and bluegills are present in quite low numbers. Th…

Walleye and northern pike are present in above average numbers (from trapnet catches) while suckers and bluegills are present in quite low numbers. The largest year class corresponds to the most recent fingerling plant. Growth on these walleye is very good for lakes in this area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Tamarack?

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

Is there public access at Tamarack?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Tamarack. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Tamarack?

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

When were the main sport fish in Tamarack last surveyed?

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