Deep

Deep Lake is a 73-acre lake located two miles south of Gilbert. There is a public access with an earthen boat ramp located near the south end of the lake off CR 97. The access is relatively small, with limited space for parking or turning around. Deep Lake has relatively steep drop-offs, especially along the north shoreline. Nearshore areas tend to have soft bottom substrates, and a dense fringe of vegetation grows to within a couple feet of the surface out to depths of 10-15 feet around the entire lake. Deep Lake was thermally stratified on July 24, 2023, with a surface temperature of 72 F and a bottom temperature of 41 F. Adequate oxygen for most fish was retained to a depth of at least 18 feet where the temperature was 54 F. Deep Lake is exceptionally clear, with 20 feet of visibility during this survey. Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 5.1 fish/trap net, which was slightly lower than the historical average for the lake. Bluegill also tended to be small, with an average length of just 5.2 inches. The largest bluegill sampled was 7.6 inches in length. Pumpkinseed and hybrid sunfish were also sampled in this survey and tended to be slightly larger, with several individuals over 8.0 inches in length. Black crappie were sampled at a rate of 1.8 fish/trap net, which was identical to the historical average for the lake. Black crappie averaged 8.7 inches in length in trap nets. However, the largest crappie was 11.6 inches long and was sampled in a gill net. Northern pike were sampled at a rate of 5.3 fish/gill net, which was relatively high compared to previous surveys on Deep Lake and other similar lakes in the Tower area. The average length of pike sampled in 2023 was 21.4 inches, which was lower than the historical average of 25.7 inches for Deep Lake. Two largemouth bass were sampled in gill nets with an average length of 13.2 inches. This was a similar catch rate and average size to the historical average of all bass sampled from Deep Lake. Targeted sampling of the bass population using electrofishing was conducted during the last survey in 2018. Results from that sampling indicated good natural reproduction in Deep Lake, and bass up to 18.0 inches were sampled. Only one walleye was sampled in this survey despite regular fingerling stockings since 2000. The walleye was 23.6 inches in length. Additional species sampled in 2023 included white sucker, yellow perch, golden shiner, and rock bass.

Deep Lake is located approximately 2 miles S of Gilbert in central St. Louis County. This lake is stocked with walleye, however, a healthy population of largemouth bass currently exists. There is an earthen boat ramp located near the S end of Deep Lake off CR 97 for public access. Access parking is limited in size and space. Ten species of fish were sampled during the 2018 survey of Deep Lake. Gill nets, trap nets and night electrofishing were all utilized as sampling methods. Northern pike and bluegill dominated the gill net and trap net catches, respectively. Good numbers of largemouth bass were sampled during electrofishing efforts. Northern pike numbers in 2018 (6.0/gill net) were above the historical average for Deep Lake (1.8/gill net) and above average (3.0/gill net) when compared to other similar lakes in the area. Pike average length was 22.1 inches which is smaller than the historical average length of 26.5 inches. The largest pike sampled in 2018 measured 37.6 inches long. Bluegill numbers in 2018 (7.8/trap net) were below the historical average for this lake (8.9/trap net) and above average (5.0/trap net) compared to other lakes in the area which are similar. Bluegill average length was only 4.6 inches which is slightly smaller than the historical average length of 4.9 inches. The largest bluegill sampled was 7.1 inches in length. A total of 104 largemouth bass (73.4/hr on-time) were sampled by electrofishing in 2018. Largemouth average length was 13.6 inches. Approximately 84% of the largemouth in the sample were 12 inches or larger with a maximum length of 18.0 inches recorded. Nine year classes were identified from the sample by aging, indicating good natural reproduction. Low numbers of black crappie were observed from the 2018 sample. Crappie sizes averaged 8.5 inches long. Despite stocking walleye fingerlings every third year, only one walleye was sampled from Deep Lake during the 2018 survey.

Deep Lake is a 61-acre lake with a maximum depth of 50 feet located two miles southeast of Gilbert in central St. Louis County. There is a city-owned public access on the south end of the lake off of county road 97. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Deep is in lake class 11. Other area lakes in the same lake class include Colby, Frying Pan, Range, and Silver Lakes. Lakes in this lake class are small in size (mean: 161 acres), and have soft, clear water. Deep is stocked every third year with walleye fingerlings. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are mostly sand, silt, and muck. There is a dense fringe of aquatic vegetation around the entire lake, with concentrations in the shallows and growing to a depth of 15 ft. The most common plants are muskgrass, yellow waterlilies, various pondweeds, and cattails. The water level of Deep Lake increased about 20 ft between 1943 and 1979. The southeast shore of Deep Lake is owned by the City of Gilbert. The southwest shore is owned by two private parties, and there is one home. The DMIR Railroad passes very close to the northwest shore. There is a public access owned by the City of Gilbert that has a dirt ramp and is in poor condition, with ruts and rocks. Walleye ranged in length from 11.1 inches to 24.1 inches with a mean length and weight of 15.0 inches and 1.4 pounds. Most of the walleye sampled were from stocked years. Few northern pike were captured, but they were above average in size. Pike ranged in length from 24.2 inches to 36.4 inches with a mean length and weight of 28.4 inches and 6.0 pounds. In 2011, seven different species from the sunfish family were captured with bluegill being the most abundant species with an abundance rating that was typical of other lake class 11 lakes. Bluegill ranged in length from 3.5 inches to 8.1 inches with only five percent of the sample greater than or equal to 7 inches. Growth was slow. Deep Lake bluegill were 4.1 inches long after four years. Other members of the sunfish family captured include pumpkinseed, rock bass, green sunfish, largemouth bass, and black crappie.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Northern Pike, and Walleye in Deep. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Deep has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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