Road
A 12-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County — best known for bass and walleye. Last surveyed 2007.
Fish Species (8)
Large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979
Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 1.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 1979 | 0.50 | - | 0.40 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2003
Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1–7.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2007 | 0.10 | 17.0" | 1.87 lbs |
| Jun 16, 2003 | 0.62 | 20.0" | 2.66 lbs |
| Jun 16, 2003 | 0.50 | 20.0" | 2.81 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2007
Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 7.5 per gill net · typical 3.9–9.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2007 | 1.40 | 16.7" | 1.01 lbs |
| Jun 18, 2007 | 7.50 | 16.7" | 2.16 lbs |
| Jun 16, 2003 | 4.00 | 21.2" | 3.57 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2007
Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.1 per trap net · typical 1.9–15.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2007 | 0.10 | 5.0" | 0.11 lbs |
| Jun 26, 1996 | 0.17 | 7.3" | 0.26 lbs |
| Jun 26, 1996 | 0.33 | 7.3" | 0.56 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2007
Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 2–23 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2007 | 1.50 | 5.3" | 0.08 lbs |
| Jun 18, 2007 | 0.10 | 5.3" | 0.08 lbs |
| Jun 16, 2003 | 0.75 | 5.2" | 0.07 lbs |
Other species in this lake (3)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1979
Last surveyed 1979 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 1.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 26, 1979 | 1.50 | - | 0.27 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2007
Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 2.6–17.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 2007 | 2.00 | 17.6" | 2.54 lbs |
| Jun 18, 2007 | 0.10 | 17.6" | 2.71 lbs |
| Jun 16, 2003 | 4.00 | 12.4" | 0.97 lbs |
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 2003
Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 2003 | 1.38 | - | - |
| Jun 26, 1996 | 38.00 | 3.5" | - |
| Jun 26, 1996 | 0.67 | 3.5" | 0.04 lbs |
Fishing Regulations
Statewide limits
Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.
Walleye and Sauger
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"
Northern Pike
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Northeast zone
Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released).
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 8, 2026
Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.
Catch-and-release only
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.
6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth
Sunfish
20 combined total
Perch
20 daily and 40 in possession
More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)
Northern Pike
Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Northeast zone
Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Not more than 1 over 26").
Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers
no limit
Bullhead
100
Biologist Notes
June 18, 2007The walleye catch in the 2007 assessment was very low, despite several years of fry stocking in this lake. The one walleye taken had apparently been p…
The walleye catch in the 2007 assessment was very low, despite several years of fry stocking in this lake. The one walleye taken had apparently been produced naturally. Northern pike were fairly abundant, but most were small (under 20 inches). Northern pike growth rates were slow. This is a small shallow lake, with limited forage for game fish. Although (as the 2007 assessment demonstrated), the lake can produce an occasional trophy, those will be very rare.
June 16, 2003Low numbers of walleye and northern pike were caught during this assessment and both species were of above-average size for lakes of this class. Walle…
Low numbers of walleye and northern pike were caught during this assessment and both species were of above-average size for lakes of this class. Walleye fry were stocked in 1999 and 2002, but no walleye of those age classes were caught. Yellow perch were present, but the average size is small. White sucker and golden shiner were also present.
June 26, 1996Road Lake did not appear to support any gamefish or panfish populations capable of supporting a fishery of any quality. Only one walleye (two years of…
Road Lake did not appear to support any gamefish or panfish populations capable of supporting a fishery of any quality. Only one walleye (two years of age, 10 inches in length) was collected. Yellow perch were present in large numbers, but were mostly less than six inches in length. A few bluegill were present, but reproduction appeared to have been poor. No northern pike or smallmouth bass were found, although some smallmouth bass may have been present (they were found in a 1979 survey).
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Road?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch in Road. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Road?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Road. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Road?
Road has a maximum depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Road last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Road is from 2007. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Road have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Road in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
Are there special fishing regulations on Road?
No — Road has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.
More lakes in Cook County
View allLake Details
- Surface Area
- 12.45 acres
- Max Depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 0.78 mi
- Public Access
- Yes