Minnesota · Cook County
Trout Lake Fishing guide
Trout Lake covers 259 acres in Cook County, Minnesota, reaching 77 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 18.6 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 20 times, most recently in 2025, with yellow perch, brook trout, rainbow trout and lake trout in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Yellow perchGood numbers6.3per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 387 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 105 fish
2025Lengths measured · 177 fish
2023Lengths measured · 105 fish
2021Lengths measured · 60 fish
2017Present in recent DNR surveys.
Rainbow troutLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2025Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 25 fish
2023Lengths measured · 12 fish
2021Lengths measured · 1 fish
2019Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lake troutPresentPresent in recent DNR surveys.
Present in recent DNR surveys.
Lengths measured · 81 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 42 fish
2023Lengths measured · 39 fish
2021Lengths measured · 50 fish
2019Lengths measured · 24 fish
2017Rates 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 Trout Lake through the year
Brook trout
- Spring
- Brook trout are working the drop-offs off shoreline structure, still shallow enough to reach easily. At 18.6 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 77 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 18.6 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 77 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 | Lake trout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | 14" | — |
| 2023 | 10" | 16" | 35" |
| 2021 | 9" | 14" | 25" |
| 2019 | — | 15" | 32" |
| 2017 | 7" | 17" | 27" |
| 2015 | 7" | 12" | 26" |
| 2014 | — | — | 38" |
| 2013 | 9" | 11" | 27" |
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 · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Rainbow trout · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Rainbow trout · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Lake trout · Trolling
Trout Trolling (spoons/cowbells)
2–3in trolling spoon behind a small cowbell/dodger string
Lake trout · Hardbaits
Casting Spoon (Kastmaster, stream/stocked trout)
1/8–1/4 oz compact casting spoon
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 | 8,000 yearlings |
| 2024 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 yearlings |
| 2023 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 yearlings |
| 2022 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 yearlings |
| 2021 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 yearlings |
| 2020 | Rainbow Trout | 8,000 yearlings |
| 2019 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 yearlings |
| 2018 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 fingerlings · 3,999 yearlings |
| 2017 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 fingerlings · 4,000 yearlings |
| 2016 | Rainbow Trout | 7,000 fingerlings · 4,000 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Trout Lake was conducted on August 18- 20, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program staff. Ten nearshore sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each were sampled by backpack electrofishing, mini-fyke nets, and seining with a 15-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured 10 species of fish, including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blacknose Shiner, Brook Trout, and Iowa Darter) and none that are tolerant of disturbance.
Trout Lake was selected for a within season repeat survey to evaluate variability of survey results, therefore you may note two similar looking surveys in 2025. The nearshore data collected in this survey along with gill net and standard trap net data will be used to develop fish community models for Northeast Minnesota lakes, which will be used to monitor lake health in this region. These models may function similarly to fish IBI models developed for lakes across much of the rest of the state. For additional information, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. You can help protect the fish community in Trout Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Trout Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Trout 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
- Trout Lake (carry-in)
DNR bathymetry
Trout Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bogus Lake · 18 ac · 1.8 mi
- Boys Lake · 24 ac · 2 mi
- Mink Lake · 57 ac · 2.3 mi
- Kimball Lake · 77 ac · 2.6 mi
- Northern Light Lake · 378 ac · 3.7 mi
- Pickerel Lake · 41 ac · 4.7 mi
- Merganser Lake · 22 ac · 4.9 mi
- Elbow Lake · 408 ac · 5.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Trout Lake?
Trout Lake reaches 77 ft at its deepest point; about 23% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Trout Lake?
Trout Lake covers 259 acres with about 3.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Trout Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Trout Lake average 18.6 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Trout Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record yellow perch, brook trout, rainbow trout, lake trout.
Is Trout Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked rainbow trout in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Trout Lake have a public access?
Yes. Trout Lake has one public access site: Trout Lake (carry-in).
How big do brook trout get in Trout Lake?
The biggest brook trout measured in recent DNR surveys taped 10"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2013.
When was Trout Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Trout Lake in 2025, the most recent of 20 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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