Minnesota · DNR survey data
McDonald Lake
McDonald Lake covers 86 acres in Cook County, running to 8 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2017. 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
WalleyeFair numbers2.2per gill net12"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 13 fish
2017Lengths measured · 3 fish
2007Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2004Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2001Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Smallmouth bassPresent2.7per gill net14"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 16 fish
2017Lengths measured · 9 fish
2007Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2004Lengths measured · 9 fish
2001Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few2.5per gill net17"Typical22"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 24 fish
2017Lengths measured · 39 fish
2007Lengths measured · 54 fish
2004Lengths measured · 35 fish
2001BluegillPresent8.6per seine haul1"Typical2"Biggest
Lengths measured · 77 fish
Yellow perchGood numbers5.2per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 50 fish
Recent · 2017Lengths measured · 50 fish
2017Lengths measured · 5 fish
2007Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 43 fish
2004Lengths measured · 24 fish
2001Rates 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.
Recent reports
McDonald Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on McDonald 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
- Mcdonald Lake (carry-in)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bath Lake · 28 ac · 2.5 mi
- Thrasher Lake · 24 ac · 2.5 mi
- Thompson Lake · 18 ac · 2.6 mi
- Thrush Lake · 15 ac · 2.6 mi
- Hand Lake · 81 ac · 2.7 mi
- Two Island Lake · 754 ac · 2.8 mi
- Olson Lake · 34 ac · 3.2 mi
- Ball Club Lake · 206 ac · 3.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for McDonald Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for McDonald Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in McDonald Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2017) recorded walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch.
Does McDonald Lake have a public access?
Yes. McDonald Lake has one public access site: Mcdonald Lake (carry-in).
Is McDonald Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for McDonald Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
When was McDonald Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed McDonald Lake in 2017, the most recent of 6 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 .