Minnesota · DNR survey data
Cole Lake
Cole Lake covers 142 acres in Carlton County, running to 24 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2016. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeStocked · 2018Fair numbers1per gill net22"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 7 fish
2016Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2013Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2005Lengths measured · 10 fish
1994Largemouth bassGood numbers57.3per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 139 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 64 fish
2016Lengths measured · 75 fish
2013Lengths measured · 43 fish
2005Lengths measured · 80 fish
1994Northern pikeJust a few5.6per gill net21"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 79 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 38 fish
2016Lengths measured · 41 fish
2013Lengths measured · 48 fish
2005Lengths measured · 22 fish
1994BluegillJust a few17.7per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 369 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 243 fish
2016Lengths measured · 126 fish
2013Lengths measured · 58 fish
2005Lengths measured · 1 fish
1994Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappieJust a few0.9per trap net5"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 52 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 16 fish
2016Lengths measured · 36 fish
2013Lengths measured · 21 fish
2005Lengths measured · 44 fish
1994Yellow perchJust a few0.6per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2013 + 2016Lengths measured · 6 fish
2016Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2013Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2005Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
1994Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
Recent reports
Cole Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Cole 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
- Cole Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Tamarack Lake · 235 ac · 2.4 mi
- Eagle Lake · 389 ac · 5.9 mi
- Round Lake · 554 ac · 7.6 mi
- Lower (South) Island Lake · 320 ac · 7.9 mi
- Upper (North) Island Lake · 114 ac · 8.1 mi
- Cross Lake · 107 ac · 8.5 mi
- Sheriff Lake · 88 ac · 8.8 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 240 ac · 8.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Cole Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Cole Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Cole Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2016) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Does Cole Lake have a public access?
Yes. Cole Lake has one public access site: Cole Lake (trailer launch).
Is Cole Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2018; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Cole Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Cole Lake in 2016, the most recent of 8 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .