Minnesota · St. Louis County
High Lake Fishing guide
High Lake is a 274-acre lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, reaching 66 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 12.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2024, with bluegill, brook trout, rainbow trout and splake in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
BluegillOne of the best around108.8per trap net5"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 982 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 982 fish
2024Lengths measured · 3 fish
2019Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 515 fish
2014Lengths measured · 361 fish
2011Brook troutLast stocked 2024Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 18 fish
2024Lengths measured · 3 fish
2019Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2014Lengths measured · 7 fish
2011Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Present and managed by the DNR.
SplakeLast stocked 2023Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 77 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 77 fish
2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2019Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 27 fish
2014Lengths measured · 25 fish
2011Rates 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 High Lake through the year
Brook trout
- Spring
- Brook trout are working the drop-offs off shoreline structure, still shallow enough to reach easily. At 12.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Brook trout are sliding down the breaks as the surface warms past what they will hold in.
- Summer
- Brook trout are pinned to the deep breaks, in the coldest water that still carries oxygen. On a lake that drops to 66 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Brook trout are moving back up onto shoreline gravel and spring seeps to spawn.
Rainbow trout
- Spring
- Rainbow are shallow on the breaks and around any inlet current, which is their spawning season. At 12.3 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 66 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 | Brook trout | Rainbow trout | Splake |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16" | 11" | 17" |
| 2019 | 14" | 11" | 25" |
| 2014 | 11" | 12" | 20" |
| 2011 | 11" | 13" | 27" |
| 2005 | 11" | — | 21" |
| 2001 | 18" | — | 22" |
| 1996 | 14" | — | 15" |
| 1993 | 15" | — | 21" |
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:
Brook trout · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Brook trout · Hardbaits
Casting Spoon (Kastmaster, stream/stocked trout)
1/8–1/4 oz compact casting spoon
Rainbow trout · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Rainbow trout · Hardbaits
Casting Spoon (Kastmaster, stream/stocked trout)
1/8–1/4 oz compact casting spoon
Splake · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Splake · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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 | 2,400 yearlings |
| 2024 | Brook Trout | 10,000 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 yearlings |
| 2023 | Splake | 11,612 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 yearlings |
| 2021 | Brook Trout | 10,000 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Splake | 3,065 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Brook Trout | 2,000 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 1,200 yearlings |
| 2020 | Splake | 7,145 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Brook Trout | 4,200 adults |
| 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 8,100 yearlings |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
High is a 274-acre designated trout lake located five miles north of Ely in the Superior National Forest. It has lightly bog stained waters, a maximum depth of 63 feet, and limited aquatic vegetation. The surrounding forest consists of mature pine and scattered hardwoods situated on outcrops of bedrock. Most of the lake is publicly owned but a few private parcels are present. Rainbow trout, splake, and brook trout are stocked on a rotating schedule.
There are two public access points into High Lake. The primary method is from Dry Lake by ¼ mile long portage. Alternatively, one may enter from the High Fen Rd. (FR460). A logging spur comes within ½ mile from the tip of the north arm in the western basin by the beaver drainage inlet. Angling pressure is presumed to be light during the open water season, but High is a popular semi-remote winter fishery.
Read the full DNR narrative
The overall gillnet catch rate (28.4 fish/net) was higher than average. Fish species sampled in gill nets were white sucker, splake, brook trout, rainbow trout, and bluegill. Gillnet catch of all trout by weight for this assessment was the highest on record at 11.1 pounds/net. The overall trap net catch rate (120.3 fish/net) was the highest ever sampled from high, and notably high for any lake in the Tower area. Bluegill comprised most of the catch followed by white sucker and splake. A few golden shiners were captured as well.
The splake catch rate was 7.8 pounds/gill net. Lengths ranged from seven to 17.5 inches with an average of nearly 14 inches, which is somewhat less than normal. High usually produces exceptionally sized splake in assessments, but their absence in the catch is unsurprising given the six-year gap in stocking following 2014. Trap nets sampled an additional 31 splake with a mean length of 11 inches.
Two rainbow trout were sampled in gill nets. Lengths were 10 and 11 inches. These fish were from this spring's yearling stocking. The rainbow population in high has been historically difficult to sample. Anglers report abundance and sizes not reflected in surveys.
Eighteen brook trout were sampled in the gill nets. Lengths ranged from 11 to almost 17 inches with an average length nearing 14 inches, well above average for High.
The bluegill population in High Lake appeared to be thriving. The trap net catch (108.8 fish/net) was astoundingly above normal compared to similar lakes. Sizes ranged from three to 10.7 inches with an average of about six inches. A little over 10% of the catch was 7.5 inches or larger, but most fish measured were less than six inches.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
High Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on High 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: Approximately 1/4 mile portage from Dry Lake.
- US Forest Service access: Approximately 1 mile portage from FR 460.
DNR bathymetry
High Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Dry Lake · 82 ac · 0.8 mi
- Little Dry Lake · 15 ac · 1 mi
- Bass Lake · 169 ac · 1.1 mi
- Little Sletten Lake · 19 ac · 1.4 mi
- Sletten Lake · 25 ac · 1.6 mi
- Fenske Lake · 108 ac · 2 mi
- Grassy Lake · 257 ac · 2.2 mi
- Hobo Lake · 74 ac · 2.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is High Lake?
High Lake reaches 66 ft at its deepest point; about 36% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is High Lake?
High Lake covers 274 acres with about 6.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in High Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on High Lake average 12.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in High Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record bluegill, brook trout, rainbow trout, splake.
Is High Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked rainbow trout in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does High Lake have a public access?
Yes. High Lake has 2 public access sites, including a US Forest Service access (Approximately 1/4 mile portage from Dry Lake.).
How big do brook trout get in High Lake?
The biggest brook trout measured in recent DNR surveys taped 16"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was High Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed High Lake in 2024, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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