Whitefish

Lake County, Minnesota — DOW #38006000

112 Surveys

345.5

Acres

49 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.06 lb	2
2010-08-09	Backpack electrofishing	10.9	—	—	13
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	36.8	—	—	405
2010-08-09	Standard gill nets	7.3 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.24 lb	44
2010-08-09	50-ft beach seine	3.3	—	—	10
1989-07-21	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.15 lb	25
1989-07-21	Standard gill nets	35.5 (above normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.17 lb	71
1982-06-28	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.22 lb	35
1982-06-28	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.21 lb	8
1986-07-21	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.14 lb	8
1986-07-21	Standard gill nets	14.0 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.14 lb	28
2018-07-30	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.12 lb	20
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	31.5	—	—	126
2018-07-30	Standard gill nets	7.0 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.14 lb	42
2000-07-31	1/4-in trap nets	34.0	—	—	272
2000-07-31	Standard trap nets	6.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.15 lb	54
2000-07-31	Standard gill nets	37.3 (above normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.25 lb	112
1975-07-21	Standard trap nets	2.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.16 lb	17
1975-07-21	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.12 lb	8
1992-07-27	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.09 lb	17
1992-07-27	Standard gill nets	19.3 (above normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.27 lb	58
2025-07-21	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 2.5	0.16 lb	11
2025-07-21	Standard gill nets	16.5 (above normal)	1.7 – 14.1	0.25 lb	99

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	0.5	—	—	5
2010-08-09	Backpack electrofishing	13.4	—	—	16
2010-08-09	Standard gill nets	9.2 (above normal)	2.3 – 8.7	2.04 lb	55
2010-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.9	0.35 lb	1
1989-07-21	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	0.20 lb	2
1989-07-21	Standard gill nets	5.5 (normal)	2.3 – 8.7	2.76 lb	11
1982-06-28	Standard trap nets	9.2 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.9	3.16 lb	157
1982-06-28	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	2.3 – 8.7	2.16 lb	17
1986-07-21	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.9	2.60 lb	1
1986-07-21	Standard gill nets	6.0 (normal)	2.3 – 8.7	3.58 lb	12
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	4.8	—	—	19
2018-07-30	Standard gill nets	14.2 (above normal)	2.3 – 8.7	2.02 lb	85
2018-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	0.53 lb	3
2000-07-31	Standard gill nets	14.0 (above normal)	2.3 – 8.7	2.31 lb	42
2000-07-31	1/4-in trap nets	3.9	—	—	31
2000-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	2.29 lb	5
1975-07-21	Standard trap nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.9	1.91 lb	11
1975-07-21	Standard gill nets	17.0 (above normal)	2.3 – 8.7	2.12 lb	34
1992-07-27	Standard trap nets	1.4 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.9	3.06 lb	14
1992-07-27	Standard gill nets	13.7 (above normal)	2.3 – 8.7	2.74 lb	41
2025-07-21	Standard trap nets	1.1 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.9	2.17 lb	10
2025-07-21	Standard gill nets	19.2 (above normal)	2.3 – 8.7	1.45 lb	115

BST

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-09	Backpack electrofishing	0.8	—	1

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-09	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	3.79 lb	18
2010-08-09	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.16 lb	1
1989-07-21	Standard gill nets	4.5 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	0.98 lb	9
1989-07-21	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	0.58 lb	9
1982-06-28	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	1.12 lb	9
1982-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	0.56 lb	8
1986-07-21	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	3.40 lb	4
1986-07-21	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	1.33 lb	3
2018-07-30	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	2.52 lb	16
2018-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	1.51 lb	1
2000-07-31	Standard gill nets	4.7 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	1.72 lb	14
2000-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.81 lb	6
1975-07-21	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.8 – 5.5	1.75 lb	2
1975-07-21	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	1.10 lb	11
1992-07-27	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	1.8 – 5.5	0.98 lb	10
1992-07-27	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.40 lb	1
2025-07-21	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	1.8 – 5.5	0.98 lb	8
2025-07-21	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	1.42 lb	1

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-09	50-ft beach seine	1.0	—	3
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	75.3	—	828
2010-08-09	Backpack electrofishing	0.8	—	1
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	1404.5	—	5618
2000-07-31	1/4-in trap nets	185.8	—	1486

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-09	Backpack electrofishing	14.3	—	17
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	0.5	—	5
2010-08-09	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	1
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	1.0	—	4
2000-07-31	1/4-in trap nets	1.9	—	15

Mottled Sculpin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-09	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	1
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	0.1	—	1
2010-08-09	Backpack electrofishing	27.7	—	33

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-09	Backpack electrofishing	8.4	—	10
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	177.3	—	1950
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	1568.8	—	6275

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-08-09	Standard gill nets	35.2 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	1.20 lb	211
2010-08-09	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	1
2010-08-09	Standard trap nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.00 lb	30
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	37.5	—	—	412
1989-07-21	Standard trap nets	6.6 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.82 lb	66
1989-07-21	Standard gill nets	28.5 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	0.66 lb	57
1982-06-28	Standard trap nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.14 lb	31
1982-06-28	Standard gill nets	16.0 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	0.78 lb	64
1986-07-21	Standard trap nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.01 lb	33
1986-07-21	Standard gill nets	29.5 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	0.65 lb	59
2018-07-30	Standard gill nets	25.2 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	1.33 lb	151
2018-07-30	Standard trap nets	3.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.42 lb	34
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	1.3	—	0.82 lb	5
2000-07-31	Standard gill nets	48.0 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	1.29 lb	144
2000-07-31	1/4-in trap nets	5.1	—	—	41
2000-07-31	Standard trap nets	4.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.18 lb	42
1975-07-21	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.25 lb	1
1975-07-21	Standard gill nets	22.0 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	0.53 lb	44
1992-07-27	Standard trap nets	3.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.11 lb	34
1992-07-27	Standard gill nets	59.3 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	0.79 lb	178
2025-07-21	Standard trap nets	1.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.27 lb	12
2025-07-21	Standard gill nets	36.5 (above normal)	2.0 – 9.7	1.03 lb	219

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-09	50-ft beach seine	0.7	—	2
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	0.5	—	5
2000-07-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.6	—	5

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-09	1/4-in trap nets	0.1	—	1
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	1.5	—	6

PRD

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-08-09	Backpack electrofishing	4.2	—	5
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	2.8	—	11
2000-07-31	1/4-in trap nets	0.3	—	2

Brook Trout

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	3.09 lb	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-30	1/4-in trap nets	0.8	—	3

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

Entry Point 24

Ely, MN

★ 4.7

Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard Rental

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 393-4545

★ 5

Knife River Marina

Knife River, MN

(218) 834-6076

★ 4.7

Landing Sports Bar

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-5191

★ 4.6

Leroy's Repair

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-0743

★ 4.6

Meierhoff Marine

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 341-4588

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Whitefish

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Whitefish.

The Moose Bay Co

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-6285

Bell Sheep Homestead

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 226-4614

Bob's Cabins On Lake Superior

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 834-4583

Breezy Point Cabins On Lake Superior

Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 389-4522

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Brook Trout Northern Pike Walleye White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Whitefish

Boreal Triangle Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 830-2148

Boundary Waters Fishing Guide

Fishing Guide

(218) 235-9595

Duluth Superior Charter Fishing with Capt Paul Morris aboard Freedom II

Fishing Guide

(218) 428-5562

Ely Ice Fishing Company

Fishing Guide

(218) 365-3466

James Addiction Charter Fishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 213-8816

Muskie Doom Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 491-3277

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Lake County

Plan Your Trip to Whitefish

Weather forecast for Whitefish — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.7100°N, 91.0409°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.

Whitefish

DNR Fish Surveys

Yellow Perch

White Sucker

BST

Northern Pike

BNS

Johnny Darter

Mottled Sculpin

Bluntnose Minnow

Walleye

Iowa Darter

Fathead Minnow

PRD

Brook Trout

Golden Shiner

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Agate Bay Outfitters LLC

Boundary Waters Outfitters

Canadian Border Outfitters

Granite Gear Inc

North Country Canoe Outfitters

Red Rock Wilderness Store

Seagren's Home Hardware Outdoors

Veness Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Entry Point 24

Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard Rental

Knife River Marina

Landing Sports Bar

Leroy's Repair

Meierhoff Marine

Resorts & Lodges Near Whitefish

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Whitefish

Other Lakes in Lake County

Abinodji

Adams

Adventure

Ahmakose

Ahsub

Alger

Plan Your Trip to Whitefish