Minnesota · Cook County
Gabimichigami Lake Fishing guide
Gabimichigami Lake is a 1,186-acre lake in Cook County, Minnesota, reaching 209 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 13.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 5 times, most recently in 2024, with northern pike, yellow perch and lake trout in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Lake troutPresent (last recorded 2015)Last recorded in the 2015 survey and not seen since.
Last recorded in the 2015 survey and not seen since.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2015Lengths measured · 12 fish
2015Lengths measured · 13 fish
2005Lengths measured · 15 fish
1993Rates 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 Gabimichigami Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 13.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 209 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Lake trout
- Spring
- Lake trout are spread over the deep breaks and humps, still using the whole water column. At 13.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Lake trout are dropping fast down the humps toward the cold layer as the lake stratifies.
- Summer
- Lake trout are deep on the humps and sharp breaks, below the thermocline in the coldest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 209 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Lake trout are back up onto shallow rock, the humps and reefs where they spawn.
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 | Northern pike | Lake trout | Yellow perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 38" | 20" | 6" |
| 2005 | 30" | 21" | 6" |
| 1993 | 43" | 26" | 8" |
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:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Lake trout · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Lake trout · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Gabimichigami Lake on August 6, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 33.3 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 142.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 109.3 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 5.0 degrees C (41.0 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 1982 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat during that year. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 2015, this data indicated suitable conditions during that sampling period. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 2015, outside the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 63.1 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Gabimichigami Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Gabimichigami 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
- US Forest Service access (permit required)
DNR bathymetry
Gabimichigami Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Peter Lake · 282 ac · 1.6 mi
- West Fern Lake · 82 ac · 2 mi
- Little Saganaga Lake · 1,627 ac · 2.1 mi
- Powell Lake · 51 ac · 2.7 mi
- Ogishkemuncie Lake · 762 ac · 3.2 mi
- Fern Lake · 72 ac · 3.2 mi
- French Lake · 121 ac · 3.3 mi
- Jasper Lake · 246 ac · 3.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Gabimichigami Lake?
Gabimichigami Lake reaches 209 ft at its deepest point; about 12% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Gabimichigami Lake?
Gabimichigami Lake covers 1,186 acres with about 15.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Gabimichigami Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Gabimichigami Lake average 13.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Gabimichigami Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record northern pike, yellow perch, lake trout.
Is Gabimichigami Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Gabimichigami Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Gabimichigami Lake have a public access?
Yes. Gabimichigami Lake has one public access site: US Forest Service access.
How big do northern pike get in Gabimichigami Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 38"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Gabimichigami Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Gabimichigami Lake in 2024, the most recent of 5 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Gabimichigami Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Gabimichigami Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report