Gun
A 184-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County — best known for trout and panfish. Last surveyed 2023.
Fish Species (4)
Lake Trout
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996
Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.1 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2023 | 0.17 | 30.0" | 10.36 lbs |
| Aug 25, 2008 | 0.67 | 19.8" | 3.17 lbs |
| Aug 5, 1996 | 2.12 | 20.9" | 3.07 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996
Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.12 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 1996 | 0.12 | 6.0" | 0.07 lbs |
Smallmouth Bass
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2023
Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2023 | 0.67 | 14.5" | 1.46 lbs |
| Aug 25, 2008 | 0.50 | 12.4" | 1.70 lbs |
| Aug 25, 2008 | 5.50 | 12.4" | 0.93 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
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996
Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.62 per gill net · typical 0.8–5.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25, 2008 | 1.00 | 20.3" | 3.59 lbs |
| Aug 5, 1996 | 0.62 | 17.0" | 2.21 lbs |
Biologist Notes
July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 111.5 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 24.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 106.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 82.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.0 degrees C (39.2 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Gun Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 111.5 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 24.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 106.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 82.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.0 degrees C (39.2 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Gun Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 111.5 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 24.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 106.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 82.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.0 degrees C (39.2 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Gun Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Gun?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout and Yellow Perch in Gun. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Gun?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Gun. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Gun?
Gun has a maximum depth of 135 feet and a mean depth of 35.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Gun last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Gun is from 2023.
Does Gun have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Gun 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
- 183.8 acres
- Max Depth
- 135 ft
- Mean Depth
- 35.8 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.06 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed