Caribou

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Caribou Lake was conducted on June 30th-July 3rd, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing, mini-fyke nets, and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 1/8" mesh mini-fyke net was used to sample 14 stations. Finally, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish. The nearshore data along with gill net and standard trap net data will be used to develop fish community models for Northeast Minnesota lakes, which will be used to measure lake health. These models may function similarly to fish IBI models developed for lakes across much of the rest of the state. For additional information, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. You can help protect the fish community in Caribou Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A standard survey was conducted on Caribou Lake during the summer of 2023 to evaluate and update information about fish populations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the walleye stocking program. Walleye and Largemouth Bass are the primary management species for Caribou Lake. Walleye fingerlings are stocked every other year into Caribou Lake. Walleye abundance of 6.3 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota Lakes but represented a historic high catch rate for Caribou Lake dating back to 1951. Walleye average length was 17.9 inches. Nearly 47% of the sample exceeded 18 inches in length. Ninety three percent of Walleye aged corresponded to stocked year-classes. The stocking program appears to be providing a quality walleye fishery in Caribou Lake at this time with several different year-classes available to anglers. Largemouth Bass were sampled during a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 20.8 per hour. Average length was 14.2 inches. A quality bass fishery exists with 52% of the sample exceeding 15 inches. Northern Pike abundance of 11.7 per gillnet lift was up from recent years and still above average compared to other Minnesota Lakes. Average size was small at 19.4 inches. Black Crappie abundance of 3.3 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average size was approximately 6 inches with some fish up to 10 inches sampled. Bluegill abundance was above average at 17.8 per trapnet lift but size was small. Average length was 6.2 inches and zero Bluegill sampled exceeded 9 inches. Yellow perch abundance was below average and size was small. Other fish species sampled included Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass and White Sucker.

A standard survey was conducted on Caribou Lake during the summer of 2015 to evaluate and update information about fish populations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the walleye stocking program. Walleye and Largemouth Bass are the primary management species for Caribou Lake. Walleye fingerlings are stocked every other year into Caribou Lake. Walleye abundance of 4.3 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota Lakes but represented a historic high catch rate for Caribou Lake dating back to 1951. Walleye average length was 16.7 inches and 1.6 pounds. Nearly 40% of the sample exceeded 18 inches in length. Ninety percent of Walleye aged corresponded to stocked year-classes. The stocking program appears to be providing a quality walleye fishery in Caribou Lake at this time with several different year-classes available to anglers. Largemouth Bass were sampled during a spring electrofishing survey at a rate of 11.8 per hour. Average length was 14.1 inches. A quality bass fishery exists with 36% of the sample exceeding 16 inches. Northern Pike abundance of 8.1 per gillnet lift was down from recent years but still above average compared to other Minnesota Lakes. Average size was small at 22.1 inches and 2.5 pounds. Black Crappie abundance of 3.2 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes. Average size was just over seven inches but fish up to 11.5 inches were sampled. Bluegill abundance was above average at 16.3 per trapnet lift but size was small. Average length was 5.9 inches and zero Bluegill sampled exceeded 8 inches. Yellow perch abundance was average but size was small.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Walleye, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Bluegill in Caribou. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Caribou has a maximum depth of 21 feet and a mean depth of 9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Caribou is from 2023.

No invasive species are on record for Caribou in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.