Minnesota · DNR survey data

Iron Lake

Iron Lake covers 122 acres in Cook County, running to 19 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2023. 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.

Open Iron Lake in the live map → Write a report

DNR survey data

Fish species

Species
How many
Survey numbers
Lengths
WalleyeStocked · 2016
Just a few
0.3per gill net
Typical
19"Biggest
Smallmouth bass
No recent survey rating

No recent survey rating.

Northern pike
Just a few
3.5per gill net
18"Typical
25"Biggest
9"25"

Lengths measured · 27 fish

Recent · 2023
9"10"15"20"25"

Lengths measured · 27 fish

2023
9"10"15"20"25"

Lengths measured · 16 fish

2016
9"10"15"20"25"

Lengths measured · 18 fish

2012
9"10"15"20"25"

Lengths measured · 24 fish

2006
9"10"15"20"25"
Bluegill
Just a few
3per trap net
3"Typical
10"Biggest
3"10"

Lengths measured · 27 fish

Recent · 2023
1"2"4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 27 fish

2023
1"2"4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 247 fish

2016
1"2"4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 27 fish

2012
1"2"4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 21 fish

2006
1"2"4"6"8"10"
Yellow perch
Just a few
0.2per gill net
Typical
6"Biggest
Splake
Present

Present in recent DNR surveys.

Rock bass
Just a few
0.3per trap net
Typical
6"Biggest

Rates 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

YearSpeciesStocked
2016Walleye2,508 fingerlings

Recent reports

Iron Lake fishing reports

Recent reports on Iron 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.

Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report

Cook County reports

Public water access

Getting on the water

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is there a depth map for Iron Lake?

The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Iron Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.

What fish are in Iron Lake?

The most recent DNR survey (2023) recorded walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, splake, rock bass.

Does Iron Lake have a public access?

Yes. Iron Lake has one public access site: Iron Lake (carry-in).

Is Iron Lake stocked?

Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2016.

When was Iron Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Iron Lake in 2023, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.

Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →

Page updated .