Mott Pit

Mott Pit is a former iron ore mine located about 0.5 miles southwest of Mountain Iron. The pit filled with water when mining operations closed. The pit is now about 18 acres in size and has a maximum depth of 80 feet. The water surface elevation varies depending on local precipitation. Water quality is good and there is sufficient coldwater habitat to support trout species. The pit is managed as a stream trout lake and is stocked both in the spring and fall with rainbow trout by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). There is an unimproved gravel boat ramp on the east shore of the pit. The 2024 fisheries survey consisted of three gillnets. Five rainbow trout and one brown trout were caught during the 2024 survey for a catch rate of 2.0 trout per net. Rainbow trout averaged 13.5 inches, while the brown trout was 17.5 inches. This was one of the highest trout catches on record for Mott Pit and average sizes were the largest on record. A single walleye was sampled in 2024. The fish was 24 inches in length. While rarely sampled in large numbers, walleye have been sampled in most surveys on Mott Pit. Other species sampled in 2024 include golden shiner, green sunfish, white sucker, and yellow perch. Catch rates ranged from 3 fish per net for golden shiner to 15 fish per net for yellow perch. Lengths of these species were all relatively small.

Mott Pit is a former iron ore mine located about 0.5 miles southwest of Mountain Iron, MN. The pit filled with water when mining operations closed. The pit is now about 18 acres in size and has a maximum depth of 80 feet. The water surface elevation varies depending on local precipitation. Water quality is good and there is sufficient coldwater habitat to support trout species. The pit is managed as a stream trout lake and is stocked both in the spring and fall with rainbow trout by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB). There is a unimproved gravel boat ramp on the east shore of the pit. The 2014 fisheries survey consisted of three gill nets set in water between 9-35 feet deep. A temperature/oxygen profile on 6/3/2014 indicated good trout habitat throughout the water column. The fish catch consisted of three species, rainbow trout, white sucker and yellow perch. Only one rainbow trout was caught during the 2014 survey (0.3/net). This individual was 11.0 inches in length and was probably stocked during the previous fall. Although the net catch was low, it is not uncommon for rainbow trout. Frequently, their tendency to suspend and feed up in the water column make them difficult to capture in assessment nets. The white sucker and yellow perch caught during the 2014 survey were generally small. Only three suckers over 15 inches in length were caught. Other gamefish species have been present in Mott Pit during previous surveys including walleye, northern pike and bluegill, apparently all stocked illegally. None of these species were present in the 2014 survey.

The gillnet catch shows low numbers of white sucker and yellow perch, and very low numbers of rainbow trout, burbot, and bluegill. All fish were small, except the burbot. The lone rainbow trout captured was stocked a month earlier.

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

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

Mott Pit has a maximum depth of 80 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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