Minnesota · St. Louis County
Mukooda Lake Fishing guide
Mukooda Lake sits in St. Louis County, Minnesota, and covers 774 acres, reaching 78 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 14 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassPresent9.8per gill net13"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 49 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 49 fish
2022Lengths measured · 10 fish
2017Lengths measured · 30 fish
2012Lengths measured · 56 fish
2007Smallmouth bassPresent1.3per gill net16"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 15 fish
2022Lengths measured · 18 fish
2017Lengths measured · 27 fish
2012Lengths measured · 6 fish
2007Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few2.3per gill net25"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 28 fish
2022Lengths measured · 60 fish
2017Lengths measured · 80 fish
2012Lengths measured · 50 fish
2007BluegillPresent13.6per gill net4"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 68 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 68 fish
2022Lengths measured · 3 fish
2017Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2012Lengths measured · 22 fish
2007CrappiePresent2per gill net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 10 fish
2022Lengths measured · 6 fish
2017Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 31 fish
2012Lengths measured · 32 fish
2007Yellow perchGood numbers5.6per gill net9"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 28 fish
2022Lengths measured · 16 fish
2017Lengths measured · 24 fish
2012Lengths measured · 13 fish
2007Present in recent DNR surveys.
Rock bassGood numbers2.4per gill net8"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Lengths measured · 5 fish
2017Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2012Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 17 fish
2007Rates 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 Mukooda Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 78 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 14 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 78 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
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 | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 29" | 16" | 19" |
| 2017 | 25" | 16" | 19" |
| 2012 | 27" | 17" | 18" |
| 2007 | 27" | 16" | 18" |
| 2002 | 31" | 15" | 16" |
| 1997 | 27" | 15" | 15" |
| 1994 | 25" | 15" | 18" |
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:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Smallmouth bass · Hardbaits
Walk-the-Dog Topwater
4–4.5" walk-the-dog topwater
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
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 2022 survey
Mukooda Lake is a 774 acre lake located within Voyageurs National Park. The lake is accessed from Sand Point Lake, where the National Park Service maintains a dock at the beginning of the short portage into Mukooda Lake. This isolated lake can also be accessed via snowmobile trails in the winter. The National Park Service maintains several campsites as well as boats available for rental on Mukooda Lake. This diverse fishery supports populations of several species of gamefish that may be of interest to anglers. The deep, cold water supports fish such as Lake Trout and Cisco, while the warmer waters hold quality populations of Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and several other species. To prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and exotic viruses, anglers are only allowed to use artificial baits. In addition, no privately-owned watercraft (boats, canoes, kayaks, etc.) or float planes are allowed in interior lakes such as Mukooda Lake. A fish population survey was completed on Mukooda Lake in 2022 as part of a regular rotation of investigational surveys.
Special regulations protecting Lake Trout were implemented in January of 2014. The regulation prohibits harvest of Lake trout, while still allowing catch and release angling during the open fishing season. No Lake Trout are allowed in possession while fishing on Mukooda Lake. The regulation does allow transport of Lake Trout across Mukooda Lake (taking the most direct route and not fishing) if the Lake Trout were legally taken from connected waters. All other species present in Mukooda Lake follow the statewide regulations for inland waters.
Read the full DNR narrative
Lake Trout abundance was 0.6 fish per net, which was similar to other recent surveys, but below the historical average on Mukooda Lake. Length ranged from 19.7 to 28.3 inches, with an average of 24.0 inches. Average weight 5.1 pounds, which was above the average weight of Lake Trout caught in recent surveys. A total of three year-classes were present, and ranged from 8-16 years. Although present in low numbers, Lake Trout in Mukooda Lake provide a unique fishing opportunity.
Walleye abundance was 1.2 fish per net, which was similar to other recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Length ranged from 18.2 to 29.5 inches, with an average of 23.0 inches. Average weight was 4.3 pounds, which was above the average weight of Walleye caught in recent surveys. A total of five year-classes were present, and ranged from 3-19 years. Although Walleye abundance is lower than similar lakes, growth is exceptional, providing anglers with a shot at a trophy Walleye.
Northern Pike abundance was 3.6 fish per net in shallow gill nets, which was below average compared to other recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length in shallow gill nets ranged from 21.1 to 33.7 inches, with an average of 26.1 inches. Average weight in shallow gill nets was 4.0 pounds, which was slightly below the average weight of Northern Pike caught in 2017. A total of eight year-classes were present, and ranged from 2-9 years. Northern Pike abundance in Mukooda Lake has increased over time, and have become fairly abundant. Unlike most lakes with a high abundance of Northern Pike, Mukooda Lake has the potential to produce trophy fish.
Largemouth bass abundance was 9.8 fish per net, which was above average compared to recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length ranged from 7.2 to 16.4 inches, with an average of 11.7 inches. Average weight was 1.0 pounds, which was similar to the average weight of Largemouth Bass in recent surveys. A total of 12 year-classes were present, and ranged from 2-24 years. There are good numbers of Largemouth Bass greater than 12" providing good fishing opportunity.
Smallmouth bass abundance was 2.2 fish per net in shallow gill nets, which was slightly below average compared to recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length in shallow gill nets ranged from 10.9 to 19.6 inches, with an average of 14.9 inches. Average weight in shallow gill nets was 2.0 pounds, which was similar to the average weight of Smallmouth Bass caught in recent surveys. A total of six year-classes were present, and ranged from 3-18 years. Overall, the Smallmouth Bass population in Mukooda Lake looks healthy. There are good numbers of 12" - 20" Smallmouth Bass present providing good fishing opportunity.
Black Crappie abundance was 2.0 fish per net, which was below average compared to recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length ranged from 4.6 to 13.7 inches, with an average of 9.6 inches. Average weight was 0.7 pounds, which was similar to the average weight of Black Crappie caught in recent surveys. A total of six year-classes were present, and ranged from 2-11 years. There are decent numbers of Black Crappie greater than 7" providing good fishing opportunities with the potential of catching a Crappie over 13".
Bluegill abundance was 13.6 fish per net, which was well above average compared to recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length ranged from 3.8 to 9.5 inches, with an average of 4.7 inches. Average weight was 0.1 pounds, which was similar to the average weight of Bluegill caught in 2017. A total of five year-classes were present, and ranged from 4-18 years. Although bluegill abundance is high, average size is low. Anglers looking to harvest Bluegill will likely have to sort through lots of small individuals, but the potential for larger Bluegill is present in Mukooda Lake.
Yellow Perch abundance was 5.6 fish per net, which was above average compared to other recent surveys on Mukooda Lake. Total length ranged from 6.4 to 12.6 inches, with a mean of 9.0 inches. Mean weight was 0.3 pounds, which was above the average weight of Yellow Perch caught in recent surveys. There are good numbers of Yellow Perch present providing good fishing opportunity.
Yellow Perch, Cisco, and White Sucker provide quality forage for top predators within Mukooda Lake.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Mukooda Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Mukooda 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
- National Park Service access: Mukooda Lake is located within Voyageurs National Park. Access is by a portage trail on Sand Point Lake by Kings Cabin.
DNR bathymetry
Mukooda Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Sand Point Lake · 8,527 ac · 2.7 mi
- Crane Lake · 2,921 ac · 3.3 mi
- Little Trout Lake · 272 ac · 4.2 mi
- Little Vermilion Lake · 1,288 ac · 4.9 mi
- Dovre Lake · 116 ac · 5.1 mi
- Johnson Lake · 1,737 ac · 5.2 mi
- O'Leary Lake · 202 ac · 5.8 mi
- Franklin Lake · 156 ac · 6.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Mukooda Lake?
Mukooda Lake reaches 78 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 39.9 ft; about 20% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Mukooda Lake?
Mukooda Lake covers 774 acres with about 5.4 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Mukooda Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Mukooda Lake average 14 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Mukooda Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake trout, rock bass.
Is Mukooda Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Mukooda Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Mukooda Lake have a public access?
Yes. Mukooda Lake has one public access site: National Park Service access (Mukooda Lake is located within Voyageurs National Park. Access is by a portage trail on Sand Point Lake by Kings Cabin.).
How big do walleye get in Mukooda Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Mukooda Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Mukooda Lake in 2022, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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