Little Dry

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Little Dry Lake on August 6th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 23.0 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 9.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 9.7 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 0.2 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present but marginal. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 21.1 degrees C (70.0 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco at the time of the survey as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 also indicated marginally suitable oxythermal habitat. In four fisheries surveys on Little Dry from 2010 through 2023, only one Cisco was caught. Little Dry is connected by a channel to Dry Lake, and Dry Lake supports a viable Cisco population. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress. Cisco may be moving between lakes during periods of high oxythermal stress.

Little Dry Lake is a 15 acre designated stream trout lake located 3.5 miles north of Ely entirely within the Superior National Forest. Maximum depth is 27 feet and water clarity is good. Secchi depth on 09/25/24 was nine feet and the lake had a light green tint. Little Dry is accessed by a channel from Dry Lake. Two portages and a winter trail connect to Dry Lake. A short portage connects Dry to Bass Lake, a 1/4 mile portage enters from High Lake, and the winter trail bypasses Dry Falls farther East down to Bass Lake. The Dry Lake loop of the Bass Lake hiking trail wraps around the western half of the lake. No improved shore fishing sites are present, but the lake is accessible from the trail in spots. The 2023 survey consisted of one standardized gillnet set. Sampling was done in tandem with Dry Lake. Splake, bluegill, and white sucker were sampled. Splake abundance (7/net) was above average. Lengths ranged from 7 to 19 inches with an average length of 12 inches. Splake from three years appeared to be present, and most of the fish were yearlings from the previous stocking. No brown trout were captured in this survey, but they were sampled in good numbers in connected Dry Lake.

Little Dry Lake is a 15 acre designated stream trout lake located four miles north of Ely. The access to the lake is by water from Dry Lake on the lake's north side. There are no substantial inlets and no outlet, other than its connection with Dry Lake. The surrounding landscape of Little Dry is rolling forest land. It has a maximum depth of 27 feet and clear water. Although Little Dry Lake is listed as a separate lake, it was surveyed at the same time as Dry and we assume the fish move freely between the two lakes. Information on the Dry Lake survey can also be found in LakeFinder. Typical mid-summer dissolved oxygen levels are generally adequate for trout to moderate depths. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline were dominated by boulder and rubble with some areas of sand and gravel. The lake is completely undeveloped and is surrounded by US Forest Service land. In 1966 and 1976 reclamation projects were done on Little Dry. Since 1967 Little Dry has a long history of being stocked at different times with brook trout, brown trout, and splake. Brown trout and splake are the two species currently being stocked in the lake. Only brown trout and white sucker were sampled in this survey. The gillnet catch of brown trout by weight was 2.1 pounds/net which was below average compared to past surveys on the lake as well as other surveys of trout lakes in the area. Note that trout abundance is expressed in terms of pounds/net rather than number/net to reduce the influence of occasional high catches of just-stocked fingerlings. Lengths ranged from 10 to just over 17 inches with an average of just over 13 inches which was comparable to past Little Dry surveys. Considering the sizes, these fish were likely 1 or 3 years old. No splake were sampled in this survey however several were caught in the Dry Lake survey. The white sucker catch was 16 fish/net which was above average for the lake however sizes were relatively small compared to past surveys.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brown Trout, Splake, and Brook Trout in Little Dry. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Dry has a maximum depth of 27 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Dry is from 2023.

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