Sabin

Sabin Lake (Embarrass Pit) is a 156-acre mine pit located between Biwabik and Aurora. There is a public access on the north shore of the lake with a steep concrete boat ramp. The lake has a maximum depth of 465 feet and extremely clear water. On June 20, 2023, Embarrass Pit was thermally stratified with a surface temperature of 69 F and a temperature of 39 F at a depth of 100 feet. Oxygen levels were adequate for gamefish throughout the top 100 feet of the water column. Six gill nets were used to sample gamefish in this survey. Lake trout were sampled at a rate of 2.3 fish/net, which was slightly lower than the historical average for the lake. The average length of lake trout sampled was 15.0 inches, and the largest individual was 22.0 inches long. Lake trout were initially stocked into Embarrass Pit in 1985 and have not been stocked since, indicating that the lake supports a naturally reproducing population. Other species sampled in gill nets included cisco, creek chub, and white sucker. Zebra mussels are an aquatic invasive species that are present in Embarrass Pit. It is important for anglers and boaters to follow regulations when moving between lakes because these species can survive in or on boats, trailers, and equipment for some time. Be sure to drain all water from bait containers, live wells, bilge, and watercraft, dispose of any unused bait, and carefully inspect and remove any plants or animals attached to the watercraft, trailer, anchor, or other equipment before leaving the lake.

Sabin Lake, locally known as Embarrass Lake Mine or Embarrass Mine Pit, is a designated stream trout lake located two miles east of Biwabik. Being a designated trout lake means that angling can only occur when trout season is open, requires anglers to have a valid trout stamp, permits only one line to be used regardless of the season, and prohibits the use of live minnows. The access is via a steep concrete ramp in the middle of the lake's north shore. It is a 156 acre clear water lake with a maximum depth of 465 feet. This pit was originally operated from 1943 to 1964 as an iron ore mine. After abandonment, the mine was allowed to fill with water. There are no inlets or outlets and the mine walls are generally very steep with some sloughing gravel areas. On August 28, 2017 the water temperature ranged from 66 F at the surface to 41 F at 100 feet. Oxygen levels were good throughout the entire measured water column. This population assessment consisted of three shallow and three deep gillnet sets. From 1984 to 2010, various sizes and strains of rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout, and even Atlantic salmon were stocked. Lake trout adults were only stocked in 1984 and 1985. After 1985, only rainbow trout and brook trout were stocked. From 1990 to 2010, rainbows and brookies were stocked in alternating years, but survival was low and stream trout stocking was discontinued. When it became evident that the lake trout population was reproducing and surviving, management changed to lake trout. In 2015 cisco were stocked in an effort to create a more abundant food source for the lake trout population. The five fish species sampled in 2017 were lake trout, white sucker, bluegill, creek chub, and common shiner. Forty-eight lake trout were sampled in deep gill nets for a catch rate of 16 fish/net which was the highest catch rate on record for Embarrass Pit and a very good catch rate compared to other trout lakes in the Tower area. Lengths ranged from 8 to 21 inches with an average of just over 13 inches. Sizes were small but comparable to past surveys. For their size, some fish were quite old, up to 21 years. Growth was slow with the average trout taking eight years to reach 18 inches. Seven white sucker were captured in deep sets for a catch rate of 2.3 fish/deep gill net, which was the highest catch rate on record for the pit. Fish up to 18 inches were sampled with an average of 12 inches. Sizes have remained similar throughout past surveys. Cisco were stocked in 2015 however none were sampled in this survey. Examination of trout stomachs showed no sign of cisco as well. Future stocking events will hopefully be successful at establishing a viable population. Bluegill, creek chub, and common shiner were also sampled.

Sabin Lake (69-0429) better known as Embarrass Mine Pit is a designated stream trout lake located two miles east of Biwabik. The access is via a steep concrete ramp in the middle of the lakes north shore. It is a 156 acre clear water lake with a maximum depth of 465 feet. This pit was originally operated from 1943 to 1964 as an iron ore mine. After abandonment, the mine was allowed to fill with water. There are no inlets or outlets and the mine walls are generally very steep with some sloughing gravel areas. On June 6, 2013 the water temperature ranged from 62 F at the surface to 38 F at 100 feet. Oxygen levels were good throughout the entire measured water column. This population assessment consisted of three shallow gillnet, three deep gillnet, and no trapnet sets. From 1984 to 2010 various sizes and strains of rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout, and even Atlantic salmon were stocked. Lake trout adults were only stocked in 1984 and 1985. After 1985, only rainbow trout and brook trout have been stocked. From 1990 to 2010, rainbows and brookies were stocked in alternating years. The shallow gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 16.7 fish/net which is slightly higher than the historical average for the lake. The deep gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 4.0 fish/net which is below the historical average for the lake. Only four fish species were sampled: lake trout, white sucker, bluegill, and a chub species. A total of 40 lake trout were sampled between all the nets. A catch rate of 9.7 fish/net in the shallow sets is the highest catch on record. The catch rate for deep nets was 3.7 fish/net which is just below the average of 4.1 fish/net. Average lengths were 16.0 inches for shallow caught fish and 14.0 inches for deep caught fish. Maximum lengths were 20.5 and 20.0 inches respectively. Average weights per fish were 1.4 and 1.0 pounds for shallow and deep caught fish. Ages ranged from 8 to over 15 years with the 2000 and 2005 year classes contributing heavily to the population. Eighteen white suckers were captured in shallow sets for a catch rate of 6.0 fish/shallow gillnet. This rate is bested only by the 2000 survey which had 12.7 fish/net. Lengths ranged from 6.0 to 20.5 inches with an average of 12.0 inches. Sizes have remained similar throughout the historical netting. One bluegill was sampled in the shallow nets and was nearly 9.0 inches long.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, and Walleye in Sabin. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Sabin has a maximum depth of 465 feet and a mean depth of 167 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sabin is from 1995. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Yes — Sabin has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.