Norberg

Norberg is a 6-acre designated stream trout lake located 12 miles southwest of Ely in Bear Head State Park. It is comparable to other small trout lakes like Dan, Glacier Pond Two, and Regenbogen in the Tower Area. It has clear water with a Secchi visibility of 10 feet and a maximum depth of 26 feet. Aquatic vegetation is sparse and near-shore substrates are primarily coarse glacial deposits. A State Park permit is required to fish the lake. Access is by a 150-yard portage from a parking area west of the park headquarters. Tall pines shroud the surrounding hills and provide a rather scenic backdrop on the descent to the lake. Trails encircle most of Norberg and provide ample shore fishing opportunities, although the abundant fallen trees can complicate angling. Brook trout numbers (3.0/net) were better than average for Norberg. Lengths ranged from 10.5 to 12.5 inches with a mean length of 11.5 inches which is slightly higher than average. All trout surveyed were likely carryover from the previous year, as surveys are timed before yearling trout are stocked in the spring. Two white sucker were also captured, and at 13 and 14 inches in length they were noticeably larger than any caught in the past. White sucker have been intermittently present since trout were introduced and are not likely to act as competition to trout at their current abundance.

Norberg Lake is located within Bear Head Lake State Park and about 12 miles southwest of Ely. A valid state park permit is required on your vehicle if parking within the state park boundary. The lake is accessed by a carry down just west of the park headquarters. Shore fishing is quite popular on Norberg Lake although a canoe could also be used. Norberg Lake is a 7 acre lake with a maximum depth of 26 feet. Rainbow trout were stocked in Norberg in 2020, otherwise only brook trout have been used annually since 2018. The 2022 survey captured five brook trout in two nets for a catch rate of 2.5 fish/net which was on par with recent surveys. Lengths were 11 to 13 inches with an average weight of 0.8 pounds per fish. All fish likely came from the 2021 stocking event. Fathead minnows, leeches, and aquatic invertebrates were all found in stomachs.

Norberg Lake is located approximately 12 miles SW of Ely within Bear Head Lake State Park. This popular designated stream trout lake is currently stocked annually with yearling brook trout. Yearling rainbow trout were stocked in 2016 and 2017 during a period where brook trout were in short supply. There is a portage approximately 150 yards long from the Bear Head Lake State Park Road for public access. A State Park Permit is required to access the lake. Shore fishing is an option for anglers with several suitable locations surrounding the lake. Brook trout numbers in 2019 (8.0/gill net) were higher than the long term average (1.0/gill net) for Norberg Lake. Brook trout average length was 11.7 inches which is slightly larger than the historical average length of 10.6 inches. Brook trout sizes ranged from 10.5 inches to 12.9 inches. No rainbow trout were sampled.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Brook Trout, Splake, and Rainbow Trout in Norberg. 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 Norberg. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Norberg has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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