Minnesota Fishing Guide

Dark

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69079000

101 Surveys
230.98
Acres
31 ft
Max Depth
0
10
Fish Species
33
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Dark. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 1.2 – 5.7 1.83 lb 27
1980-09-02 Standard trap nets 1.3 — 1.10 lb 4
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 4.7 (normal) 1.2 – 5.7 1.75 lb 28
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 2.4 — 1.67 lb 22
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 1.2 – 5.7 3.80 lb 27
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.7 — 1.65 lb 6
2006-08-07 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 1.2 – 5.7 3.53 lb 18
2006-08-07 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 1.54 lb 10
1992-08-24 Standard gill nets 3.2 (normal) 1.2 – 5.7 2.82 lb 19
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 3.48 lb 4
1985-08-28 Standard gill nets 6.4 (above normal) 1.2 – 5.7 1.70 lb 32
1985-08-28 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 1.00 lb 1

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 0.6 – 5.1 0.30 lb 10
1980-09-02 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.8 – 9.7 0.25 lb 2
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 3.9 (normal) 1.8 – 9.7 0.18 lb 35
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.6 – 5.1 0.05 lb 3
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 3.2 (normal) 1.8 – 9.7 0.10 lb 29
2006-08-07 Survey seining 16.0 — — 48
2006-08-07 Standard gill nets 4.0 (normal) 0.6 – 5.1 0.04 lb 24
2006-08-07 Standard trap nets 1.2 (below normal) 1.8 – 9.7 0.21 lb 11
1992-08-24 Standard gill nets 8.0 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.1 0.21 lb 48
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 3.9 (normal) 1.8 – 9.7 0.10 lb 35
1985-08-28 Standard gill nets 2.4 (normal) 0.6 – 5.1 0.12 lb 12
1985-08-28 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 1.8 – 9.7 0.07 lb 9

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard gill nets 4.0 (normal) 1.6 – 7.6 1.60 lb 24
1980-09-02 Standard trap nets 4.7 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.0 2.13 lb 14
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 2.5 (normal) 1.6 – 7.6 2.45 lb 15
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 4.3 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.0 2.13 lb 39
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 1.6 – 7.6 1.82 lb 20
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.0 2.65 lb 1
2006-08-07 Standard gill nets 4.2 (normal) 1.6 – 7.6 1.81 lb 25
2006-08-07 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 2.10 lb 7
1992-08-24 Standard gill nets 6.2 (normal) 1.6 – 7.6 2.06 lb 37
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 2.37 lb 9
1985-08-28 Standard gill nets 3.2 (normal) 1.6 – 7.6 1.70 lb 16
1985-08-28 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 1.77 lb 3

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard trap nets 1.7 (below normal) 2.4 – 16.0 0.14 lb 5
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 2.0 (below normal) 2.4 – 16.0 0.48 lb 18
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.45 lb 1
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 9.4 (normal) 2.4 – 16.0 0.25 lb 85
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.34 lb 1
2006-08-07 Survey seining 14.3 — — 43
2006-08-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.20 lb 2
2006-08-07 Standard trap nets 5.9 (normal) 2.4 – 16.0 0.14 lb 53
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 3.9 (normal) 2.4 – 16.0 0.17 lb 35
1992-08-24 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.25 lb 6
1985-08-28 Standard trap nets 3.3 (normal) 2.4 – 16.0 0.14 lb 13
1985-08-28 Standard gill nets 0.6 — 0.47 lb 3

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.8 – 5.0 2.70 lb 2
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.8 – 5.0 2.14 lb 1
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.57 lb 1
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 5.0 2.62 lb 3
2006-08-07 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.8 – 5.0 2.34 lb 6
1992-08-24 Standard gill nets 2.5 (normal) 0.8 – 5.0 2.43 lb 15
1985-08-28 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.8 – 5.0 3.80 lb 1

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.20 lb 1
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.32 lb 5
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 1.7 (normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.20 lb 15
2006-08-07 Survey seining 2.0 — — 6
2006-08-07 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.15 lb 2
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.16 lb 8
1985-08-28 Standard trap nets 2.8 (normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.08 lb 11

Shorthead Redhorse

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.6 2.90 lb 1
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 1.8 2.27 lb 7
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.8 3.14 lb 2
1992-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.6 2.90 lb 1

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard gill nets 4.7 (normal) 2.0 – 16.5 0.07 lb 28
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.1 0.05 lb 6
2016-08-15 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 2.0 – 16.5 0.07 lb 4
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 2.1 0.10 lb 12
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 13.8 (normal) 2.0 – 16.5 0.08 lb 83
2006-08-07 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.1 0.09 lb 2
2006-08-07 Survey seining 36.0 — — 108
2006-08-07 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 2.0 – 16.5 0.08 lb 14
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 2.1 0.10 lb 12
1992-08-24 Standard gill nets 21.2 (above normal) 2.0 – 16.5 0.07 lb 127
1985-08-28 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 2.1 0.10 lb 3
1985-08-28 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 2.0 – 16.5 0.06 lb 13

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1980-09-02 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.7 1.30 lb 1
2016-08-15 Standard electrofishing 19.6 — 1.96 lb 25
2006-08-07 Standard electrofishing 23.0 — 1.72 lb 31
2006-08-07 Survey seining 6.7 — — 20
2006-08-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 1.57 lb 2
2006-08-07 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.21 lb 1

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2016-08-15 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.3 0.28 lb 1
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.10 lb 1
2006-08-07 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
2006-08-07 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.8 0.10 lb 2
2006-08-07 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 2.3 0.18 lb 3
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.3 0.30 lb 1

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2006-08-07 Survey seining 11.0 — — 33
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.30 lb 1

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2006-08-07 Survey seining 1.7 — 5

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2006-08-07 Survey seining 3.7 — 11

Common Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2006-08-07 Survey seining 1.7 — 5

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2006-08-07 Survey seining 0.3 — 1

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2006-08-07 Survey seining 0.3 — 1

Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2006-08-07 Survey seining 5.7 — 17

SLR

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 6.55 lb 2

CRC

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.40 lb 1

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-08-28 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 6.8 0.30 lb 1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Arrowhead Outdoors

Ely, MN

(218) 365-5358

★ 4.9

Bass Pro Shops

Hermantown, MN

(218) 481-6900

★ 4.4

Benders

Hibbing, MN

(218) 263-5023

★ 4.5

Brimson Sportsman Corner

Brimson, MN

(218) 848-2080

★ 5

Canadian Waters Inc

Ely, MN

(800) 255-2922

★ 4.7

Canoe Country Outfitters

Ely, MN

(218) 365-4046

★ 4.9

Cenex

Hibbing, MN

(320) 894-5765

★ 5

Cliff Wold's Outfitting Co.

Ely, MN

(218) 365-3267

★ 5

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Crane Lake, MN

(218) 780-6430

★ 4.9

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4190

★ 4.5

Arrowhead Lodge

Kabetogama, MN

(218) 875-2141

★ 4.7

Bill's Boat Storage

Ely, MN

(218) 235-9824

★ 5

Birch Point Marine

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4404

★ 4.5

BP Marine Plus

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 830-2216

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Dark

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Dark.

C&B Rentals
Fishing Resort Hibbing

(952) 356-5234
Espland's
Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-5282
Lake Vermilion Ice Fishing
Fishing Resort Tower

(218) 290-2435
Piney Woods Retreat in Ely, Minnesota - Vacation Cabin Rental
Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 235-1212

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Dark. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassShorthead RedhorseWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Dark

218 Sportfishing
Fishing Guide

(218) 409-4744
Angler Management Duluth Charters
Fishing Guide

(218) 390-7933
Basswood Trails Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 349-5226
Catching Adventures
Fishing Guide

(651) 270-7155
Chamorrita Charters
Fishing Guide

(218) 393-7121
Chasin' Tail Charters MN
Fishing Guide

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

146.35 acres

Agassa

72.18 acres

Agnes

28.99 acres

Alden

189.7 acres

Alruss

28.18 acres

Angleworm

144.03 acres

Plan Your Trip to Dark

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.