Stone

Stone Lake is located about 3 miles east of Zim, MN, within the St. Louis River Watershed. The relatively small (143 acre) lake is 100% littoral with a maximum depth of 12 feet. A small channel connects Stone Lake to South Stone and at times navigable by small craft. Anecdotal reports suggest beaver dams occasionally sever connectivity. Most of the shoreline is in public ownership and development is confined to the south shore. A township administered access is located on the south shore with a picnic area and parking for about three rigs. Northern pike were sampled at a rate of 6.0/gill net, within the range for lakes similar to Stone, and the same as the previous assessment (1983). Size structure was moderate. Lengths ranged from 13.4 to 32.3 inches with an average length of 21.1 inches. Scale and bone analysis identified five age classes with ages 2-6 present. Back-calculated length-at-age suggests growth was similar to the statewide average for most ages while slightly faster at older ages. Northern pike averaged almost 24 inches by age 4. Yellow perch were sampled at a rate of 18.3/gill net, near the high end of the expected ranage and slightly higher than the previous assessment (13.0/net). Size structure was favorable offering a quality fishery. Lengths ranged from 7.5 to 11.6 inches with an average length of 9.6 inches. It is likely yellow perch are under utilized by anglers due to high incidence of parasitic yellow grub which was observed in 93% of the 45 examined fish. Black bullhead were the most abundant species in both gill nets and trap nets, being sampled at a rate of 168.3/gill net and 1.0/trap net. The trap net catch was near the low range while the gill net catch by far exceeded the expected range. Anecdotal angler reports suggest bluegill and black crappie were present and offered a significant fishery at times. Both species were not observed in the assessment. One pumpkinseed sunfish was sampled in trap nets. Other species sampled included brown bullhead, white sucker, and yellow bullhead.

THE GAME FISH POPULATION HAS RECOVERED FROM PAST WINTERKILLS AND APPEARS TO BE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE LAKE. THE BULLHEAD POPULATION IS AT A HIGH LEVEL BUT THE FISH ARE NOT MARKETABLE SIZE.

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

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

Stone has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Stone is from 2011. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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