Dugout

St. Louis County

Near Soudan

DOW: 69045100

Yellow PerchGood · 69BluegillGood · 50Northern PikeAverage · 42

A 57-acre lake near Soudan in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 2015.

Fish Species (4)

Yellow Perch

Good · 69

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.6"

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 31.5 per gill net · typical 3.3–18.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch13% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 87%Largest sampled 12"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 2015	31.50	6.6"	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.7"

Catch rate: 1.0 per trap net

Size of catchable bluegill33% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 67%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 2015	1.00	4.7"	-	Minnow traps
Jul 15, 2015	0.50	4.7"	0.53 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 42

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.7"

Avg Weight

1.67 lbs

Catch rate: 9.0 per gill net · typical 3–9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike6% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 94%Largest sampled 33"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 2015	9.00	18.7"	1.67 lbs	Standard gill 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 · 38

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2015

Last surveyed 2015 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.0"

Avg Weight

3.09 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 5.3–22.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 15, 2015	0.50	19.0"	3.09 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 15, 2015Dugout Lake is located approximately 13 miles N of Tower in the BWCAW. The landscape of north side of the lake has been altered by a prescribed burn a…

Dugout Lake is located approximately 13 miles N of Tower in the BWCAW. The landscape of north side of the lake has been altered by a prescribed burn and the south side has a forest that is primarily coniferous. Some areas of bog are also present. Access was obtained by following a tributary of Pine Creek that is near the south side of Dugout Lake and crossing a ridge between the two. This access is poorly defined and should be investigated prior to making an attempt to access the lake. The only USFS designated campsite that was located on the north side has been removed. Dugout Lake appears to have little use. Only four species of fish were sampled or observed in 2015. Northern pike numbers in 2015 (9.0/gill net) were above average compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average pike sampled was 19.7 inches and the largest pike was 33.3 inches long. Yellow perch abundance in 2015 (31.5/gill net) was well above average (7.6/gill net) compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average perch sampled was 7.1 inches and the largest perch was 12.3 inches long. One white sucker and one 8.2 inch bluegill were also sampled in the gill nets. Two small bluegill were sampled in the minnow traps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Dugout?

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

Is there public access at Dugout?

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

How deep is Dugout?

Dugout has a maximum depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Dugout last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Dugout is from 2015. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.