Winchester

Winchester Lake is a 319-acre lake in St. Louis County located approximately 12 miles east of Orr. Winchester has a maximum depth of 50 feet with steep drop-offs and tannin-stained waters typical of Canadian Shield lakes. Approximately 17 percent of the lake is less than 15 feet deep and aquatic vegetation is limited to a few shallow bays. The shoreline of Winchester Lake is rugged and heavily forested. A newly developed carry-in access is located on the east end of the lake. The access is suitable for small boats and canoes and an ATV trail provides access from the public road that circles the east end of the lake. Winchester Lake has historically been managed for Lake Trout and stocking dates back to 2005. Annual Lake Trout stocking occurred from 2005 to 2009, at which time biennial stocking began and continued through 2019. Due to limited success and decreasing numbers of Lake Trout in recent surveys, Lake Trout stocking was discontinued after 2019, and the primary management species was changed to Splake. Yearling Splake stocking began in 2022 and was repeated in 2024. A standard survey was completed in Winchester Lake in 2024. The survey consisted of spring littoral index netting (SLIN) during early-May, and a stratified gill net assessment utilizing both shallow-water (GSH) and deep-water (GDE) gill netting during mid-August. SLIN netting is a non-lethal sampling method and has been shown to be effective at sampling both Splake and Lake Trout. SLIN netting sampled 11 Splake and 5 Lake Trout. Due to the similarity in appearance between the two species, fin clips were used for species identification. Splake stocked into Winchester Lake are not clipped, while varying clips have been applied to Lake Trout. The most common clip applied to the Lake Trout is an adipose clip, while other fin clips including the right or left ventral may also be present. Splake sampled in SLIN nets ranged in length from 16.4 to 20.4 inches with a mean length of 19.7 inches. Lake Trout sampled in SLIN nets ranged in length from 20.7 to 21.7 inches with a mean length of 21.1 inches. Splake gill net catch rates were 1.8 fish per net in shallow-water gill nets and 3.2 fish per net in deep-water gill nets. Total length of Splake ranged from 8.0 to 19.9 inches with an average length of 13.2 inches. The average weight was 0.7 pounds. A total of two year-classes were present and ages ranged from 2 to 4 years. Both year classes correspond to stocked years. Growth rate of the 2022 stocked Splake is good with some individuals reaching 20.0 inches, while the 2024 stocked fish average around 9.5 inches. Splake are well known to be very catchable fish, particularly in the winter, and stocked Splake have provided important fisheries in many areas and should provide a unique fishing opportunity in Winchester Lake. One Lake Trout was sampled in deep-water gill nets for a catch rate of 0.2 fish per net. The single Lake Trout had a total length of 30.1 inches and weighed 12.1 pounds. Age was estimated at 17 years and the presence of an adipose clip suggest this fish might correspond to the 2009 stocking event. Based on fish sampled in deep-water gill nets and SLIN nets, it appears that Winchester still supports a low-density population of Lake Trout. There does not appear to be any natural reproduction taking place in Winchester Lake. Northern Pike are typically sampled in low numbers in Winchester Lake. Northern Pike shallow-water gill net catch rate was 0.50 fish per net, which was below average compared to similar lakes. Total length ranged from 27.1 to 38.0 inches with a mean length of 32.5 inches. The mean weight was 7.9 pounds, which was well above average compared to similar lakes. This low-density population in a lake with cool water and abundant Cisco for forage allows for some impressive growth and maximum size. Other species sampled during the 2024 survey included Bluegill, Cisco, Rock Bass, Slimy Sculpin, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. These species provide excellent forage for Splake and Lake Trout in Winchester Lake.

Winchester is a 319 acre lake in St. Louis County located approximately 12 miles east of Orr, Minnesota. Winchester has a maximum depth of 50 feet with steep drop-offs and tannin-stained waters typical of Canadian Shield lakes. Approximately 17% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep and aquatic vegetation is limited to a few shallow bays. The shoreline of Winchester Lake is rugged and heavily forested. Very little development exists on the lake. The public access is carry-in only. A fisheries survey was completed in 2019 as part of a regularly scheduled rotation of surveys in the International Falls Management Area. Winchester Lake is primarily managed for Lake Trout. Stocking occurred annually from 2005 to 2009 and every other year thereafter. The initial stocking events established a fairly robust population, but catch rates have been declining since that first survey following introduction. Lake Trout are still present, but survival of more recent stocked year classes appears to be low. The size structure is mostly made up of recently stocked fish less than 13 inches in length and older fish from the 2006 to 2009 stocked year classes that are now reaching lengths of 28 inches. There does not appear to be any natural reproduction taking place in Winchester. There are very few Northern Pike present in Winchester Lake. This low density population in a lake with cool water and abundant Cisco to forage allows for some impressive growth and maximum size. Three Northern Pike were sampled in 2019, measuring 34.0, 41.5, and 42.6 inches in length. Bass are not typically sampled very well with traditional netting gear. Several Smallmouth Bass were still caught in the nets during the 2019 survey. Lengths ranged from about 12 to 19 inches, indicating that there is a good size structure. Similar to other predators like Lake Trout and Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass in lakes with an abundant population of small Cisco can utilize this forage to attain impressive sizes. Cisco appear to be the primary forage species in Winchester Lake. Cisco are abundant, and appear to be of the dwarf variety. Other fish sampled in low numbers during this survey included Bluegill, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.

Winchester Lake is a 320 acre lake located approximately 12 miles east of Orr, MN. This lake has a maximum depth of 50 feet with steep drop-offs. There is a small amount of vegetation as only about 17% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Winchester has very little development and activity is limited as access is via a carry-in public access on the east end of the lake. Winchester is managed primarily for Lake Trout, which have been stocked since 2005. A healthy population has been established with multiple year classes present. Lake Trout from all gears used ranged from about 12 to 27 inches in length, and averaged 19.6 inches. Catch rates were among the highest in the International Falls Management Area. Angling for Lake Trout should also be good in years to come as several stocked year classes have had good survival, and the 2012 year class appears to be strong. Cisco appear to be abundant, and are likely the primary forage species for Lake Trout in Winchester. Other species sampled in low abundance included Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Bluegill, Splake, Smallmouth Bass, and Rock Bass in Winchester. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Winchester has a maximum depth of 50 feet and a mean depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Winchester is from 2024.

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