Astrid

Astrid Lake is a 120 acre lake located 20 miles north of Tower. The access is via a portage from USFS Road 200. The lake can also be accessed via the Hunting Shack River from the Echo Trail. This requires adequate water levels on the river which is subject to low water levels at times. Astrid has a maximum depth of 30 feet and brown bog-stained water. On July 8, 2021 Astrid Lake was thermally stratified with a surface temperature of 79 F and a bottom temperature of 47 F. Oxygen levels were adequate for gamefish to a depth of 21 feet where the temperature was 47 degrees. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are mostly sand, boulder, and ledge rock. The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 11.7 fish/net which was below average compared to past surveys on Astrid Lake. Yield was 17.1 lbs/net which was also below average for the lake. Fish species sampled were white sucker, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, shorthead redhorse, burbot, and rock bass. Twelve walleye were sampled for a catch rate of 2.0 fish/net, which was right at the average compared to other similar lakes but slightly below average compared to past surveys on Astrid Lake. Lengths ranged from 10 to over 24 inches with an average of over 17 inches. Ages ranged from 2 to 10 years with 58% of the catch coming from years when walleye fry were stocked. The northern pike gillnet catch was 3.0 fish/net which was the second lowest on record compared to past surveys on Astrid. Lengths ranged from 15 to 24 inches with an average 19 inches. Sizes were similar to past surveys. The yellow perch catch rate was 0.8 fish/net which was below average compared to other similar lakes but slightly better than the average for Astrid. Sizes were relatively small with a range of 5.5 to 8 inches, which was similar to past surveys.

Astrid Lake is located approximately 26 miles NW of Ely within the Superior National Forest. This lake is characterized by it's surrounding landscape dominated by red pines with other conifers and sandy shoal water areas. There is an 88 rod portage from FR 200 located on the W side of the lake for public access. Another option is to navigate the Hunting Shack River upstream from the Echo Trail (CR116). There are two USFS campsites located on the lake for visitor use. Walleye numbers in 2016 (3.3/gill net) were slightly higher than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. The average walleye sampled was 17 inches long and about 6 years old. The largest walleye sampled was nearly 31 inches long. Walleye fry have been stocked in Astrid Lake since the 1970's. Northern pike numbers in 2016 (3.7/gill net) were slightly lower compared to past assessments on this lake. The average pike sampled was 19 inches long and the largest pike was 28.5 inches long. Six other species were sampled including bluegill, shorthead redhorse, pumpkinseed, rock bass, white sucker and yellow perch. This is the first time bluegill have been sampled or observed in Astrid Lake.

Astrid Lake is in Ecological Lake Class 10, which consists of 76 lakes in northeast Minnesota that are small and have very soft (unmineralized) water. Astrid Lake ranks as mesotrophic according to Carlson's Trophic State Index Astrid Lake was thermally stratified on 7/24/2006 with a surface temperature of 75 F and a bottom temperature of 50 F. Adequate oxygen for fish (more than 2 ppm) was retained to a depth of 13 feet, where the temperature was 63 F. The major inlet to Astrid Lake, from Crellin Lake, has a steep rapids limiting fish movement. The outlet, tributary to the Hunting Shack River, has no barriers to fish movement downstream to USFS Road 200. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline of Astrid Lake are mostly sand and gravel. Aquatic plants are sparse and grow to a depth of 7 feet. The most common plants are shoreline fringe plants including sedges, horsetail, and sweetgale. Fish sampling in the 2006 fish population assessment consisted of 4 gillnets. Seven previous fisheries investigations on Astrid Lake, dating back to 1974, used 3-5 gillnets. Trapnets (6 sets) were used only during the 2000 investigation. Shoreline seining was done in 1974, 1976, and 2000. Fish populations in 2006, as in previous investigations on this lake, were dominated by northern pike, walleye, and white sucker. Low numbers of other fish species were captured. Northern pike numbers in 2006 (5.8/gillnet) were higher than normal (in the fourth quartile) for this lake class and were similar to the median pike catch of 5.5/gillnet in all investigations on this lake. Pike sizes in 2006 averaged 18.3 inches (1.3 lb), which was smaller than normal (in the first quartile) for this lake class, but was similar to the average size of 18.0 inches in all investigations on this lake. The largest pike captured in 2006 was 27.2 inches. Pike from six year-classes were captured in 2006. Pike growth was slower than normal by area standards (in the first or second quartile, depending on the age). Walleye were present in low numbers (0.2/gillnet) in the initial 1974 fisheries investigation. Walleye fry were stocked annually from 1975-78 and biennially from 1980-2006. Walleye numbers in 2006 (4.0/gillnet) were higher than normal (in the fourth quartile) for this lake class and were higher than the median walleye catch of 2.2/gillnet in all investigations on this lake. Walleye sizes in 2006 averaged 13.6 inches (1.1 lb), which was smaller than normal (in the first quartile) for this lake class and was smaller than the average size of 15.1 inches in all investigations on this lake. Walleye from seven year-classes were captured in 2006, with about equal numbers from stocked years and from non-stocked years. Walleye growth was in the normal range (second or third quartile, depending on the age) by area standards. Sucker numbers in 2006 (2.5/gillnet) were somewhat lower than normal (in the second quartile) for this lake class and were similar to the median sucker catch of 3.2/gillnet in all investigations on this lake. Sucker sizes in 2006 averaged 16.4 inches (2.0 lb), which was normal (at the median) for this lake class and was similar to the average sucker size of 16.3 inches in all investigations on this lake. A few of the northern pike examined in 2006 were infected with neascus (black spot). Neascus is a common parasite that is native to the area. It cannot infect humans, is often removed by filleting fish, and is killed at temperatures used to cook fish.

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

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

Astrid has a maximum depth of 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Astrid is from 2021.

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