Lost

Lost Lake is a 752 acre located six miles west of Tower. It is accessed by a concrete ramp on the lake's southeast side. Lost has a maximum depth of 20 feet, although the vast majority of the lake is far shallower. The water color is stained dark brown from the surrounding area bogs. Lost Lake was thoroughly mixed on August 8, 2022 with a total water column temperature of 70 F and oxygen levels adequate for gamefish throughout. The lake has no substantial inlets or outlets and is largely surrounded by bog, however there are several areas of good walleye spawning habitat along the north and east shore. The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 51.4 fish/net which was the lowest on record for the lake. Total yield was 45.4 lbs/net which was also the lowest on record. Fish species sampled were walleye, yellow perch, white sucker, and bluegill. The walleye gillnet catch rate was 34.8 fish/net which was very good compared to other lakes in the area. Walleye lengths ranged from 7 to 24.5 inches with an average of nearly 14 inches. Growth rates were somewhat slow with the average walleye taking four years to reach 13 inches long. Ages ranged from 1 to 16 years with good representation of year classes from age-1 to age-7. The yellow perch catch rate (11.8 fish/net) was above average compared to other similar lakes but the lowest on record for Lost Lake. Perch sizes in were similar to past investigations, averaging 9 inches; the largest perch was just over 11 inches.

Lost Lake is located approximately 5 miles northwest of Tower, MN. It has a surface area of 768 acres and a maximum depth of 17 ft. The shoreline is predominately floating bog with black spruce and tamarack. A concrete boat ramp is present off the Lost Lake road (#476). There are no campsites or cabins on the lake. Lost Lake is surrounded by a Scientific and Natural Area. Walleye numbers in 2011 (31.2/gill net) were slightly lower than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. The average walleye sampled was 12.1 inches long and about 4 years old. The growth rate was slower compared to other lakes in this class. The largest walleye sampled was 27 inches long. Yellow perch numbers in 2011 (18.0/gill net) were lower than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. The average perch sampled was 6.8" and the largest perch was 11.0 inches long. White sucker, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and golden shiner were also present. Noticeable by their absence were northern pike. Lost Lake was selected for fish index of biotic integrity (IBI) sampling. This index is designed to help determine the overall health of the biological fish community of the lake. This type of sampling will typically capture the non-game species and young-of-year game species. Six species were identified. Brook stickleback and golden shiner were non-game species sampled. The most common fish captured was yellow perch composing 73% of the catch.

Lost Lake was selected for fish index of biotic integrity (IBI) sampling. At the time of the survey, criteria for scoring Canadian shield lakes was still being developed. For IBI sampling, 1/4" inch trap nets and boat electrofishing were employed at the 12 sampling locations. Six species were identified. Non-game species sampled were brook stickleback (n=1) and golden shiner (n=1). The most common species captured was yellow perch composing 73% of the catch (n=73).

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed in Lost. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Lost has a maximum depth of 20 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lost is from 2022.

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