Chad
A 265-acre lake near Burntside Lake in St. Louis County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2015.
Fish Species (7)
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2015
Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 5.0 per gill net · typical 2–6.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2015 | 5.00 | 23.4" | 2.96 lbs |
| Aug 25, 1976 | 7.33 | - | 0.84 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Above-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1976
Last surveyed 1976 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 16.3 per gill net · typical 2.2–14.6 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25, 1976 | 16.33 | - | 0.15 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2015
Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 7.3 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2015 | 7.33 | 14.1" | 1.70 lbs |
| Aug 25, 1976 | 2.33 | - | 1.32 lbs |
Rock Bass
Average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2015
Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.3–2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2015 | 0.50 | 7.7" | 0.32 lbs |
| Aug 25, 1976 | 3.33 | - | 0.25 lbs |
Bluegill
Small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2015
Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 4.0 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2015 | 4.00 | 4.0" | 0.03 lbs |
| Aug 25, 1976 | 1.33 | - | 0.25 lbs |
Hybrid Sunfish
Small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2015
Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.8 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2015 | 2.83 | 5.5" | 0.13 lbs |
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
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2015
Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 6.8 per gill net · typical 3.6–14.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 10, 2015 | 6.83 | 12.0" | 0.84 lbs |
| Aug 25, 1976 | 10.00 | - | 1.23 lbs |
Biologist Notes
August 10, 2015Chad Lake is located approximately 10 miles N of Tower in the BWCAW. This scenic lake has an irregular shoreline with rocky shores and periodic bogs.…
Chad Lake is located approximately 10 miles N of Tower in the BWCAW. This scenic lake has an irregular shoreline with rocky shores and periodic bogs. The landscape is covered primarily by large pines and other conifers. Access is by portage from either Pine Creek from the west or Buck Lake from the east. Both portages are moderately difficult and are approximately 3/4 miles in length. There are two designated USFS campsites located on the lake. Largemouth bass numbers in 2015 (7.3/gill net) were well above average (0.4/gill net) when compared to other similar lakes in this class. The average largemouth sampled was 14.5 inches long and about 8 or 9 years old. Thirty-three percent of the largemouth aged were older than 10 years and the oldest largemouth aged was 18 years old. The largest largemouth sampled was 18.4 inches long. Light fishing pressure and low harvest have likely contributed to the success of this largemouth bass population and anglers are encouraged to practice catch and release to foster their continued success. Northern pike abundance in 2015 (5.0/gill net) was slightly above average when compared to other similar lakes in this class. The average pike sampled was 23.8 inches long and the largest pike was 29.1 inches. Bluegill, hybrid sunfish and rock bass were sampled in relatively low numbers and small sizes. White sucker were also sampled. Yellow perch were observed in several stomach samples from pike and largemouth bass.
August 25, 1976Composed of above average populations of largemouth bass, northern pike, perch, sucker, and rock bass. Bluegills are present in about average numbers.
Composed of above average populations of largemouth bass, northern pike, perch, sucker, and rock bass. Bluegills are present in about average numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Chad?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Bluegill in Chad. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Chad?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Chad. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Chad?
Chad has a maximum depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Chad last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Chad is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Chad have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Chad in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 264.93 acres
- Max Depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.04 mi
- Public Access
- Yes