Little Trout

Little Trout Lake is a 272 acre lake located in Voyageurs National Park. Little Trout Lake has a maximum depth of 95 feet, and good water clarity. The Lake is accessed via a short but fairly steep portage between Grassy Bay of Sand Point Lake and the south end of Little Trout Lake. This diverse fishery supports populations of several species of gamefish that may be of interest to anglers. The deep, cold water supports Lake Trout and Cisco, while the warmer waters hold quality populations of Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike. To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and exotic viruses, anglers are only allowed to use artificial baits. In addition, no privately-owned watercraft (boats, canoes, kayaks, etc.) or float planes are allowed on interior lakes such as Little Trout. A standard survey was completed in Little Trout Lake in Late August of 2023. Special regulations protecting Lake Trout were enacted in 2015. The regulation prohibits harvest of Lake Trout, while still allowing catch and release angling during the inland summer and winter seasons. All other species follow statewide regulations for inland waters. Previous management plans have identified several long-range goals, including providing a healthy, self-sustaining fish community with an emphasis on Lake Trout as the top predator and other native species. Lake Trout abundance should be at least 1.0 fish per deep gill net set. Lake Trout gill net catch rate was 0.6 fish per net, which was above average for recent surveys. Total length ranged from 18.3 to 21.1 inches and the mean length was 19.7 inches. Average weight was 2.9 pounds which was below average compared to previous surveys. A total of three year-classes were present and ranged from 3-5 years. All Lake Trout sampled during the survey had a clipped adipose fin identifying them as stocked fish. Annual yearling Lake Trout stocking was resumed in 2020 after previous surveys failed to sample Lake Trout after stocking was ceased in 2006. Although present in low numbers, Lake Trout in Little Trout Lake provide a unique fishing opportunity. Walleye gill net catch rates were 2.5 fish per net in shallow gill nets and 1.5 fish per net in deep gill nets. Catch rate in shallow gill nets were below average and catch rate in deep gill nets were slightly above average compared to previous surveys. Total length in shallow gill nets ranged from 13.2 to 24.0 inches, with a mean of 19.5 inches. Total length in deep gill nets ranged from 20.8 to 28.3 inches, with a mean of 24.7 inches. Average weight in shallow gill nets was 2.6 pounds, which was slightly below average. Average weight in deep gill net was 5.0 pounds, which was above average. A total of eight year-classes were present and ranged from 2-22 years. Walleye growth was above average, and there are good numbers of large Walleye providing anglers with a shot at a trophy. Smallmouth Bass gill net catch rates were 5.8 fish per net in shallow gill nets and 1.5 fish per net in deep gill nets. Catch rate in shallow gill nets was average compared to previous surveys. Catch rate in deep gill nets was above average compared to previous surveys. Total length in shallow gill nets ranged from 5.7 to 18.1 inches, with a mean of 12.5 inches. Total length in deep gill nets ranged from 12.8 to 18.0 inches, with a mean of 16.0 inches. Average weight in shallow gill nets was 1.1 pounds which was similar to previous surveys. Mean weight in deep gill nets was 2.0 pounds which was similar to previous surveys. A total of 14 year-classes were present and ranged 1-22 years. Smallmouth Bass growth was average, but there are good numbers of larger fish present to provide a good fishing opportunity. Northern Pike abundance is low in Little Trout Lake but the Northern Pike present are large. One Northern Pike was sampled during the survey and had a total length of 39.3 inches and weighed 15.2 pounds. Northern Pike numbers have been declining in recent surveys, but the Northern Pike present provide anglers with the opportunity to catch a trophy. Cisco, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass are also present and provide quality forage for top predators in Little Trout Lake.

Little Trout is a deep and clear lake in Voyageur National Park. The 271 acre lake has a maximum depth of 95 feet, and approximately 29% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. This scenic lake has a shoreline that is heavily forested with some exposed rock. Little Trout is accessed via a short but fairly steep portage between Grassy Bay of Sand Point Lake and the south end of Little Trout Lake. In order to minimize the risk of spreading invasive species in the park, no outside watercraft are allowed on Little Trout. The Northern Pike population seems to be characterized by low numbers and large average size. Of the small sample collected during this assessment, Pike averaged over 28 inches. High Smallmouth Bass numbers in the net catches indicate that they are abundant in Little Trout Lake. The average size is about 13 inches, but fish over 17 inches were sampled. Growth of these fish is above average for the International Falls Management Area, and recruitment seems to be consistent as there were several year classes present. Walleye numbers were also good, with a lot of large fish sampled. An average Walleye was three pounds and over 21 inches. Growth is well above the International Falls average and is likely due to the presence of a good forage base of Cisco. There are likely to be some trophy sized fish in Little Trout, however, the extremely clear water may make catching Walleye more difficult than expected. Most of the management activity that has occurred on Little Trout Lake has involved Lake Trout. These fish were stocked from 1965 through 2006, but have never been highly abundant. A study researching the genetics of Lake Trout indicated that the stocking program may be hurting the native population's ability to reproduce successfully, so stocking was discontinued to see if there was a self-sustaining population present in Little Trout. Lake Trout numbers have declined since then.

Little Trout is a small (239 acres), clear water lake located within Voyageurs National Park. The lake lies approximately nine miles north of Crane Lake. Little Trout Lake is accessible via a short but steep portage trail from Grassy Bay of Sand Point Lake. Due to concerns regarding the spread of exotic species, including spiny waterflea, into the Park's Interior, boats cannot be portaged into Little Trout Lake. There are currently no established campsites on Little Trout Lake. Fisheries management on Little Trout Lake has focused on lake trout. Lake trout were stocked as yearlings every other year from 1980 through 2006. In spite of this stocking, lake trout abundance declined steadily from 1983 to the present. During the 2009 investigation, only one lake trout was caught for a gillnet abundance of 0.13/net. This was the lowest abundance estimate on record for Little Trout Lake and well below what lakes in the same classification typically produce. The last several investigations have indicated that habitat for trout is plentiful. While lake trout have declined, the abundance of other species in Little Trout appears to be increasing. The northern pike gillnet abundance (2.25/net) in 2009 was the highest recorded for Little Trout Lake. Pike up to 34 inches were present in the catch and growth was very fast. Recent recruitment of young fish also has been good. Smallmouth bass were abundant during the 2009 investigation. Smallmouth bass numbers (5.75/gill net) were the second highest on record for Little Trout Lake. Bass caught during our survey averaged 14.3 inches. The largest indvidual in our catch was 18.1 inches. Sixty-two percent of the bass we sampled were over 14 inches in length. Habitat in Little Trout appears to be well suited for smallmouth bass. Walleye abundance (3.50/gill net) was greater than the last investigation (2004) but below abundance estimates recorded in the 1980's and 1990's. Since the first fisheries survey on Little Trout Lake, however, walleye numbers have increased. During this survey, walleye up to 29.3 inches were present. The average length was 23.0 inches. The Little Trout walleye population is made up of old fish. Nearly 60% of our catch were of fish over 10 years of age. The oldest walleye captured was 20 years of age. Rock bass, cisco, white sucker and yellow perch were also caught during the 2009 survey. Cisco were abundant in the deeper sampling stations and appear to be the primary forage species present in the lake. Little Trout Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Voyageurs National Park, well worth the climb up from Grassy Bay. The heavily forested shore is rugged and studded with rock outcroppings. The very clear green-tinted water adds to the appeal but also makes it difficult to catch light-sensitive walleye and lake trout.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and Rock Bass in Little Trout. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Little Trout. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Little Trout has a maximum depth of 95 feet and a mean depth of 42.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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