Minnesota · Cook County
Birch Lake Fishing guide
Birch Lake covers 236 acres in Cook County, Minnesota, reaching 69 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 17.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 8 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, smallmouth bass, brook trout and rainbow trout in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
No recent survey rating.
Last recorded in the 2015 survey and not seen since.
Rainbow troutLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 23 fish
2023Lengths measured · 26 fish
2015Lengths measured · 43 fish
2012Lengths measured · 3 fish
2007Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Present in recent DNR surveys.
Last recorded in the 2007 survey and not seen since.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Birch Lake through the year
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn. At 17.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks. On a lake that drops to 69 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
Rainbow trout
- Spring
- Rainbow are shallow on the breaks and around any inlet current, which is their spawning season. At 17.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Rainbow are dropping onto the breaks and points as the shallows warm past comfort.
- Summer
- Rainbow are deep on the breaks and humps, holding in the coldest oxygenated water. On a lake that drops to 69 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Rainbow are spread back over the breaks and points as the surface cools into their range.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Smallmouth bass | Rainbow trout | Lake trout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4" | 18" | 21" |
| 2015 | 12" | 17" | 10" |
| 2012 | 11" | 20" | 33" |
| 2007 | 14" | 18" | 22" |
| 2004 | 15" | 19" | 20" |
| 1998 | — | 20" | 21" |
| 1996 | — | 26" | 17" |
| 1994 | — | 22" | 15" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Rainbow trout · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Rainbow trout · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Lake trout · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Lake trout · Hardbaits
Casting Spoon (Kastmaster, stream/stocked trout)
1/8–1/4 oz compact casting spoon
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 4,032 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Birch Lake is a 236-acre lake located 34 miles north of Grand Marais and public access is through a carry-in access along the south shore. Rainbow trout are the primary management species with yearlings stocked every year since 2016. Brook trout were last stocked in 2015 and were not captured in the 2023 survey. In addition, there is a small natural population of lake trout that continues to persist despite limited habitat. The 2023 standard survey of Birch Lake was conducted to evaluate survival and growth of stocked rainbow trout.
Rainbow trout catches in the 2023 survey gill nets were comparable to the last two surveys (3.83 fish/net) and were slightly above average for similar lakes in the area. Rainbow trout captured ranged from 10.4 - 18.6 inches with most of the fish being about 12 inches long. There were slightly less larger fish in the population than in previous surveys. Aging results indicated that fish from 3 year classes were present in the lake with the oldest being 3 years old. Growth rates for rainbow trout were good. Birch Lake continues to provide good angling opportunities for rainbow trout.
Read the full DNR narrative
Despite marginal temperature-oxygen conditions that provide limited habitat for lake trout in most years, the lake trout population has continued to persist in Birch Lake. The lake trout catch was very low but similar to catches seen in this lake since 2007. The one lake trout taken in the survey was 12 years old and 21.7 inches. Naturally reproducing lake trout populations are unique in Minnesota lakes, anglers targeting lake trout should consider catch and release practices with safe handling procedures.
Catches in 0.25-in-mesh trap nets indicated there has been no recovery of the nearshore fish community, which collapsed after smallmouth bass became established in this lake in the mid 2000s. As has been the case in most recent surveys, no minnows were found. There was one small (4.7 inch) smallmouth bass collected in the 2023 survey which is the fewest seen in surveys since they were detected in 2004. Smallmouth bass are likely not abundant enough to provide good angling opportunities.
Cook County, Minnesota lakes continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health. Anglers should clean watercraft and fishing gear, drain all water, and dispose of unused bait in the trash to prevent accidental introductions.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Birch Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Birch Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Birch Lake (carry-in)
DNR bathymetry
Birch Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Sock Lake · 20 ac · 1.1 mi
- Dunn Lake · 101 ac · 1.1 mi
- Surber Lake · 7 ac · 1.3 mi
- Poplar Lake · 764 ac · 1.8 mi
- South Lake · 1,145 ac · 2.1 mi
- Prune Lake · 9 ac · 2.1 mi
- Topper Lake · 47 ac · 2.1 mi
- East Pope Lake · 36 ac · 2.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Birch Lake?
Birch Lake reaches 69 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 26 ft; about 30% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Birch Lake?
Birch Lake covers 236 acres with about 6.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Birch Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Birch Lake average 17.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Birch Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, smallmouth bass, brook trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, splake.
Is Birch Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked rainbow trout in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Birch Lake have a public access?
Yes. Birch Lake has one public access site: Birch Lake (carry-in).
How big do smallmouth bass get in Birch Lake?
The biggest smallmouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 4"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Birch Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Birch Lake in 2023, the most recent of 8 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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