Murphy

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69064600

104 Surveys

354.16

Acres

24 ft

Max Depth

9 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.6 – 5.1	0.28 lb	10
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	1.8 – 9.7	0.22 lb	25
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	2.1 (normal)	0.6 – 5.1	0.19 lb	19
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	20.5	—	—	82
1996-08-19	Standard trap nets	2.4 (normal)	1.8 – 9.7	0.37 lb	29
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.6 – 5.1	0.26 lb	21
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	5.8 (normal)	1.8 – 9.7	0.26 lb	70
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	10.1 (above normal)	0.6 – 5.1	0.17 lb	91
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	1.8 – 9.7	0.22 lb	20
1990-08-27	Standard gill nets	3.2 (normal)	0.6 – 5.1	0.23 lb	19
1990-08-27	Standard trap nets	8.3 (normal)	1.8 – 9.7	0.24 lb	50

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.9 (normal)	1.2 – 5.7	3.47 lb	31
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	4.92 lb	10
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	4.1 (normal)	1.2 – 5.7	3.06 lb	37
1996-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.34 lb	8
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	4.1 (normal)	1.2 – 5.7	3.29 lb	37
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	3.05 lb	11
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	3.6 (normal)	1.2 – 5.7	3.01 lb	32
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.94 lb	3
1990-08-27	Standard gill nets	6.0 (above normal)	1.2 – 5.7	2.78 lb	36
1990-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	4.60 lb	2

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 6.8	0.14 lb	1
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 6.8	1.53 lb	2
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	0.5	—	—	2
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 18.6	0.14 lb	1
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 6.8	0.22 lb	1
1990-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 18.6	1.50 lb	1

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	1.6 – 7.6	2.30 lb	9
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	1.6 – 7.6	2.24 lb	15
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.6 – 7.6	2.54 lb	6
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.0	5.24 lb	1
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	2.1 (normal)	1.6 – 7.6	1.57 lb	19
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.0	2.27 lb	3
1990-08-27	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.6 – 7.6	2.38 lb	18
1990-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.0	2.00 lb	1

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	18.9 (above normal)	2.4 – 16.0	0.10 lb	208
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	2.5	—	0.13 lb	20
1996-08-19	Survey seining	65.5	—	—	262
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	4.9	—	0.16 lb	44
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	17.5	—	—	70
1996-08-19	Standard trap nets	11.2 (normal)	2.4 – 16.0	0.19 lb	134
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	5.4	—	0.15 lb	49
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	8.7 (normal)	2.4 – 16.0	0.11 lb	104
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	3.1	—	0.06 lb	28
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	7.2 (normal)	2.4 – 16.0	0.10 lb	72
1990-08-27	Standard trap nets	8.5 (normal)	2.4 – 16.0	0.17 lb	51
1990-08-27	Standard gill nets	4.5	—	0.23 lb	27

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.1	0.11 lb	2
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	6.1 (normal)	2.0 – 16.5	0.14 lb	49
1996-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.1	0.09 lb	3
1996-08-19	Survey seining	14.5	—	—	58
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	11.9 (normal)	2.0 – 16.5	0.15 lb	107
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	133.5	—	—	534
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.1	0.08 lb	4
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	2.0 – 16.5	0.09 lb	4
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.1	0.12 lb	2
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	7.7 (normal)	2.0 – 16.5	0.10 lb	69
1990-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.1	0.10 lb	2
1990-08-27	Standard gill nets	12.5 (normal)	2.0 – 16.5	0.11 lb	75

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.8 – 5.0	1.94 lb	7
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	5.50 lb	2
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 5.0	1.59 lb	5
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	4.2 (normal)	0.8 – 5.0	2.28 lb	38
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	2.87 lb	1
2001-08-20	Standard electrofishing	3.2	—	0.28 lb	3
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	0.8 – 5.0	2.41 lb	7
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	5.63 lb	2

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.92 lb	6
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 2.6	1.06 lb	6
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 2.0	1.79 lb	7
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	0.8	—	—	3
1996-08-19	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.4 – 2.6	1.87 lb	19
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 2.0	1.12 lb	5
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.6	1.03 lb	4
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.48 lb	4
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.6	0.94 lb	4

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard electrofishing	55.4	—	1.35 lb	30
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	3.31 lb	2
1996-08-19	Standard electrofishing	47.8	—	0.99 lb	37
1996-08-19	Survey seining	8.5	—	—	34
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	2.0	—	—	8
2019-07-22	Standard electrofishing	31.0	—	1.69 lb	34
2001-08-20	Standard electrofishing	18.2	—	1.36 lb	17
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.26 lb	2

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 3.8	0.08 lb	11
1996-08-19	Survey seining	9.3	—	—	37
1996-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.42 lb	2
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	11.3	—	—	45
1996-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 3.8	0.20 lb	8
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 3.8	0.05 lb	1
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 3.8	0.09 lb	4
1990-08-27	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.4 – 3.8	0.07 lb	11

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	187.5	—	—	750
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.06 lb	2
2001-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.10 lb	1
2001-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.07 lb	2

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	3.8	—	15

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1996-08-19	Survey seining	0.3	—	1

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1996-08-19	Survey seining	2.3	—	9
1996-08-19	Special trap nets	0.8	—	3

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2019-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 11.3	0.93 lb	12
2019-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 3.1	1.06 lb	4
1990-08-27	Standard gill nets	5.7 (above normal)	0.4 – 3.1	0.71 lb	34
1990-08-27	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.3 – 11.3	0.97 lb	12

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

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 Murphy

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Murphy.

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 Murphy. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Brown Bullhead Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Murphy

218 Sportfishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 409-4744

Angler Management Duluth Charters

Fishing Guide

(218) 390-7933

Basswood Trails Guide Service

(218) 349-5226

(651) 270-7155

(218) 393-7121

Chasin' Tail Charters MN

Fishing Guide

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Plan Your Trip to Murphy

Weather forecast for Murphy — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.2985°N, 92.4948°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

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

Murphy

DNR Fish Surveys

Black Crappie

Northern Pike

Black Bullhead

White Sucker

Bluegill

Yellow Perch

Walleye

Yellow Bullhead

Largemouth Bass

Pumpkinseed

Golden Shiner

Spottail Shiner

Iowa Darter

Johnny Darter

Brown Bullhead

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Arrowhead Outdoors

Bass Pro Shops

Benders

Brimson Sportsman Corner

Canadian Waters Inc

Canoe Country Outfitters

Cenex

Cliff Wold's Outfitting Co.

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Arrowhead Lodge

Bill's Boat Storage

Birch Point Marine

BP Marine Plus

Resorts & Lodges Near Murphy

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Murphy

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

Agassa

Agnes

Alden

Alruss

Angleworm

Plan Your Trip to Murphy