Mukooda

Mukooda Lake is a 774 acre lake located within Voyageurs National Park. The lake is accessed from Sand Point Lake, where the National Park Service maintains a dock at the beginning of the short portage into Mukooda Lake. This isolated lake can also be accessed via snowmobile trails in the winter. The National Park Service maintains several campsites as well as boats available for rental on Mukooda Lake. This diverse fishery supports populations of several species of gamefish that may be of interest to anglers. The deep, cold water supports fish such as Lake Trout and Cisco, while the warmer waters hold quality populations of Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and several other species. 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 in interior lakes such as Mukooda Lake. A fish population survey was completed on Mukooda Lake in 2022 as part of a regular rotation of investigational surveys. Special regulations protecting Lake Trout were implemented in January of 2014. The regulation prohibits harvest of Lake trout, while still allowing catch and release angling during the open fishing season. No Lake Trout are allowed in possession while fishing on Mukooda Lake. The regulation does allow transport of Lake Trout across Mukooda Lake (taking the most direct route and not fishing) if the Lake Trout were legally taken from connected waters. All other species present in Mukooda Lake follow the statewide regulations for inland waters. Lake Trout abundance was 0.6 fish per net, which was similar to other recent surveys, but below the historical average on Mukooda Lake. Length ranged from 19.7 to 28.3 inches, with an average of 24.0 inches. Average weight 5.1 pounds, which was above the average weight of Lake Trout caught in recent surveys. A total of three year-classes were present, and ranged from 8-16 years. Although present in low numbers, Lake Trout in Mukooda Lake provide a unique fishing opportunity. Walleye abundance was 1.2 fish per net, which was similar to other recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Length ranged from 18.2 to 29.5 inches, with an average of 23.0 inches. Average weight was 4.3 pounds, which was above the average weight of Walleye caught in recent surveys. A total of five year-classes were present, and ranged from 3-19 years. Although Walleye abundance is lower than similar lakes, growth is exceptional, providing anglers with a shot at a trophy Walleye. Northern Pike abundance was 3.6 fish per net in shallow gill nets, which was below average compared to other recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length in shallow gill nets ranged from 21.1 to 33.7 inches, with an average of 26.1 inches. Average weight in shallow gill nets was 4.0 pounds, which was slightly below the average weight of Northern Pike caught in 2017. A total of eight year-classes were present, and ranged from 2-9 years. Northern Pike abundance in Mukooda Lake has increased over time, and have become fairly abundant. Unlike most lakes with a high abundance of Northern Pike, Mukooda Lake has the potential to produce trophy fish. Largemouth bass abundance was 9.8 fish per net, which was above average compared to recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length ranged from 7.2 to 16.4 inches, with an average of 11.7 inches. Average weight was 1.0 pounds, which was similar to the average weight of Largemouth Bass in recent surveys. A total of 12 year-classes were present, and ranged from 2-24 years. There are good numbers of Largemouth Bass greater than 12" providing good fishing opportunity. Smallmouth bass abundance was 2.2 fish per net in shallow gill nets, which was slightly below average compared to recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length in shallow gill nets ranged from 10.9 to 19.6 inches, with an average of 14.9 inches. Average weight in shallow gill nets was 2.0 pounds, which was similar to the average weight of Smallmouth Bass caught in recent surveys. A total of six year-classes were present, and ranged from 3-18 years. Overall, the Smallmouth Bass population in Mukooda Lake looks healthy. There are good numbers of 12" - 20" Smallmouth Bass present providing good fishing opportunity. Black Crappie abundance was 2.0 fish per net, which was below average compared to recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length ranged from 4.6 to 13.7 inches, with an average of 9.6 inches. Average weight was 0.7 pounds, which was similar to the average weight of Black Crappie caught in recent surveys. A total of six year-classes were present, and ranged from 2-11 years. There are decent numbers of Black Crappie greater than 7" providing good fishing opportunities with the potential of catching a Crappie over 13". Bluegill abundance was 13.6 fish per net, which was well above average compared to recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length ranged from 3.8 to 9.5 inches, with an average of 4.7 inches. Average weight was 0.1 pounds, which was similar to the average weight of Bluegill caught in 2017. A total of five year-classes were present, and ranged from 4-18 years. Although bluegill abundance is high, average size is low. Anglers looking to harvest Bluegill will likely have to sort through lots of small individuals, but the potential for larger Bluegill is present in Mukooda Lake. Yellow Perch abundance was 5.6 fish per net, which was above average compared to other recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length ranged from 6.4 to 12.6 inches, with a mean of 9.0 inches. Mean weight was 0.3 pounds, which was above the average weight of Yellow Perch caught in recent surveys. There are good numbers of Yellow Perch present providing good fishing opportunity. Yellow Perch, Cisco, and White Sucker provide quality forage for top predators within Mukooda Lake.

Mukooda is a 773 acre lake located within Voyageurs National Park. The lake is accessed from Sand Point Lake, where the National Park Service maintains a dock at the beginning of the short portage into Mukooda. This isolated lake can also be accessed via snowmobile trails in the winter. Presently, there are several campsites as well as boats available for rental on Mukooda. This diverse fishery supports populations of several species of gamefish that may be of interest to anglers. The deep, cold water supports fish such as Lake Trout and Cisco, while the warmer waters hold quality populations of Bass, Northern Pike, and several other species. A fish population survey was completed on Mukooda in 2017 as part of a regular rotation of investigational surveys. The methods used to survey the fish community in Mukooda do not typically produce many panfish, however there were still Bluegill and Black Crappie in the samples. Crappie up to 12 inches were caught during the 2017 survey. Concerns about low catch rates of Lake Trout, specifically the 2012 survey which produced no Lake Trout, prompted the enactment of a catch-and-release only regulation for Lake Trout in Mukooda. Lake Trout were present again in the 2017 sample, however the catch rate was still less than the historical average. The 2017 catch ranged from 15 to 28 inches and averaged 22 inches. Mukooda supports high quality populations of both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Similar to panfish, bass are not typically caught in large numbers in the nets used to sample Mukooda. However, there were still a good number present in the samples in 2017. Largemouth ranged from 13 to 16 inches, while Smallmouth Bass up to about 20 inches were caught. Aging revealed that some of the Smallmouth live to be quite old. One individual was estimated to be 18 years old. Northern Pike are fairly abundant in Mukooda Lake. Unlike most lakes with a high abundance of Northern Pike, Mukooda has the potential to produce trophy fish. The average size of Northern Pike in Mukooda during the 2017 survey was over 26 inches, and fish up to nearly 42 inches were caught. Historical catch data shows that the Northern Pike population has increased over the past two decades. Walleye catch rates dating back to 1969 have shown that Mukooda supports a low density population, and the 2017 survey was no exception. The sample from 2017 included fish up to 25 inches. Yellow Perch were caught at rates similar to the historical average for Mukooda, and they averaged 7 inches. Other fish sampled during the 2017 survey include Rock Bass and White Sucker.

Mukooda Lake includes cold, cool, and warmwater species. As a result, nets were stratified into two different depth zones (deep and shallow). Special attention was given to make sure some nets target lake trout in deep, cold water with adequate dissolved oxygen levels. Twelve species were captured during the 2012 assessment. Alarmingly, no lake trout were captured. However, enforcement officers have verified lake trout catches by anglers during the winter following the population assessment. Mukooda has an unusually diverse fish community that has likely been altered by the introduction of non-indigenous species. Generally, it appears that populations of cold water species are declining and more tolerant species are increasing. For example, bass, crappie and panfish are at or near record highs while cisco and lake trout are at or near record lows. Northern pike abundance was the highest ever recorded for Mukooda Lake and noticeably higher than the previous record observed in 2007. Catches in recent investigations were at least 10 times higher than historic catches in Mukooda Lake. In 2012, eight year-classes were present and age ranged from 2-11 years. Recruitment appears consistent, with no year-classes more prominent than the others. Northern pike up to 35.8 inches were found in the sample. Only six walleye were captured during the 2012 investigation, which was tied for the lowest abundance level observed in the eight investigations dating back to 1969. The walleye catch was entirely made up of large fish with lengths ranging from 17.5 to 27.2 inches. Five year-classes were present and age ranged from 3-16 years. Walleye in Mukooda Lake grow exceptionally fast, the fastest in the International Falls Management Area.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Rock Bass in Mukooda. 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 Mukooda. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Mukooda has a maximum depth of 78 feet and a mean depth of 39.9 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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