Camp A

Camp Four is located about 9 miles north of Buhl, within the Superior National Forest. The lake is small, about 15 acres, with a max depth of 31 feet, and a shoreline length about 0.7 miles. There are two U.S. Forest Service carry-in accesses on the lake. Camp Four has been managed for stream trout since being reclaimed in 1954, with almost annual stocking of rainbow trout. Annual stocking, alternating between fall rainbow trout fingerlings in odd years and spring brook trout yearlings in even years, has occurred since 1997. The lake management plan's long range goals consisted of a rainbow trout fall catch of 0.5/ trap net with two year classes present and a brook trout fall catch of 0.5/trap net with75% exceeding 12 inches. Brook trout were the only species sampled in the two gill nets, at a rate of 4.5/net. The nine fish sampled ranged from 8.7 to 11.4 inches and a mean length of 10.4 inches. The length distribution suggests these fish are one age class and likely from the spring 2014 stocking. A total of 16 half inch trap net sets sampled 47 Brook Trout for a rate of 2.9/net. Lengths ranged from 7.2 to 13.8 inches and had a mean length of 9.9 inches. Interestingly, all of the Brook Trout sampled had lengths from 7 to 11 inches except three, which were 13 inches long. The majority are likely from the spring 2014 stocking, while the age of the three largest individuals is unclear. Crew notes indicated these fish had a different overall appearance, darker and heavier. These fish could be extremely fast growing individuals, older fish that got mixed in at the hatchery with the yearlings stocked in 2014, or fish surviving from the 2012 stocking. Rainbow Trout were also present in the trap net sample, being sampled at a rate of 0.3/trap net. The four fish had lengths from 6.8 to 11.2 inches with a mean length of 8.8 inches. These fish are from the fall 2013 stocking, indicating over-winter and over-summer survival. Habitat requirements for Brook Trout include a minimum of 5 ppm dissolved oxygen (DO), water temperatures below 65-degree (F), and at least five vertical feet of separation between the two. A temp/DO profile conducted on 8/11/2014 indicated there was no suitable trout habitat at the peak of summer stress. This is similar to what has been observed in other assessments. However, Brook Trout were present, with an acceptable CPUE, indicating over-summer survival. Rainbow Trout (which can tolerate water temps up to 70 degrees) were also present in the sample indicating over-winter and over-summer survival. It appears that poor habitat conditions are only seasonal and do not last long enough to cause mortality on a regular basis. Trap nets also sampled three Central Mudminnow, 13 Finescale Dace, and six Pearl Dace. Near shore sampling included setting four minnow traps. A total of two Brook Stickleback, 1 Fathead Minnow, and 22 Finescale Dace were sampled.

Camp 4 is a designated stream trout lake that has been managed for rainbow and brook trout since 1955. Trout catches from test netting have been poor in most assessments, suggesting poor trout survival. No trout were captured in the most recent assessment, although northern pike were present. Dissolved oxygen testing was conducted in August, while the lake was still stratiifed, to determine the quantity of suitable trout habitat. Dissolved oxygen testing indicated a lack of vertical trout habitat, as oxygen fell below 2.1 ppm at 8 feet while water temperatures remained near 20 deg C. The oxygen-temperature profile suggests that summer-kill conditions likely exist, limiting the potential of the trout fishery.

Camp 4 is a designated stream trout lake that has been managed for rainbow and brook trout since 1955. Trout catches from test netting have been poor in most assessments, suggesting poor trout survival. No trout were captured in the most recent assessment, although northern pike were present. Dissolved oxygen testing was conducted in August, while the lake was still stratiifed, to determine the quantity of suitable trout habitat. Dissolved oxygen testing indicated a lack of vertical trout habitat, as oxygen fell below 2.1 ppm at 8 feet while water temperatures remained near 20 deg C. The oxygen-temperature profile suggests that summer-kill conditions likely exist, limiting the potential of the trout fishery.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brook Trout, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Rainbow Trout in Camp A. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Camp A has a maximum depth of 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Camp A is from 2014. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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