Martin

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Joe Martin Lake, which is located within Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Nation, was conducted on August 18 - August 20, 2025 by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) Program and Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe Natural Resources staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing, mini-fyke nets, and seining with a 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 6 sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to soft and deep sediments. Similarly, a 1/8" mesh mini-fyke net was used to sample 6 stations. Finally, a 15-foot seine was used to sample three stations. Three stations were not seined sue to dense shoreline vegetation, deep and soft sediments, and deep water. Nearshore sampling captured ten species of fish, including Blacknose Shiner, Central Mudminnow, and Tadpole Madtom. A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA Program staff from 18 to 20 August 2025. Eight trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured eight species of fish. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the catch by number and biomass. Approximately 6 percent of the Bluegill captured were over 8 inches in length. A gill net survey was simultaneously conducted by LBMA Program staff from 18 to 20 August 2025. One gill net was set on the bottom in sufficient oxygen. Gill net sampling captured five species of fish. Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass comprised a majority by biomass. The average Northern Pike captured in gill nets was about 24.5 inches and 3 pounds. Two out of the three Northern Pike sampled in the gill net were over 24 inches. The nearshore, trap net, and gill net data will be used to develop fish community models for Northeast Minnesota lakes, which will be used to measure lake health. These models may function similarly to fish IBI models developed for lakes across much of the rest of the state. For additional information, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. You can help protect the fish community in Joe Martin Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Martin is a 71 acre lake with 24 (31%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 77 feet. There are 12 cabins or permanent homes around the lake and there is no public access to the lake. Martin Lake is located west of Duluth, south of highway 2 near Brookston. The fish community in Martin Lake is mainly composed of northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed sunfish. All species sampled were within or exceeded the expected ranges of abundance for lake class 5. Northern pike abundance of 10 per gillnet lift was above average compared to other Minnesota Lakes of similar type. Ten northern pike were sampled and mean length was 20.8 inches. Growth was average with individuals reaching 19.1 inches by age four. Seventy percent of the northern pike sampled were from the 1998 year class. Largemouth bass abundance of 1.4 per trapnet lift was above average compared to other Minnesota Lakes of similar type. Growth rates were fast with individuals reaching 12.6 inches by age four. Several larger individuals were sighted in the shallows, and 14 bass were sampled using angling methods, which supplemented the population structure and age data. Sixty percent of the bass sampled were from the 1998 year class. None of the other year classes appear to be very strong. Black crappie abundance of 2 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota Lakes of similar type. Growth rates were average to fast with individuals reaching 8.1 inches by age four. Mean length of crappie was 9.1 inches and several fish exceeded 10 inches. The 1996 and 1998 year classes appear to be equally strong. Bluegill abundance of 8 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota Lakes of similar type. Several larger bluegill were sampled by angling and growth rates were average from both trapnet and angling samples. Bluegill from the trapnet sample averaged 4.3 inches and individuals caught while angling averaged 7.1 inches. Several year classes were represented as far back as 1987, but the majority (75%) of the bluegill sampled were from strong 1997 and 1998 year classes. Other fish species sampled in Martin Lake include pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, and golden shiner. Because there is no opportunity for the public to access Martin Lake, fishing pressure is relatively low. Future DNR fisheries management activities will also be limited by the lack of public access.

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

Martin has a maximum depth of 77 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Martin is from 2025.

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