Echo

Cook County

Near Maple Hill

DOW: 16026600

WalleyeExcellent · 76Smallmouth BassGood · 50Northern PikeAverage · 25

A 121-acre lake near Maple Hill in Cook County — best known for walleye and bass. Last surveyed 1991.

Fish Species (4)

Walleye

Excellent · 76

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.38 lbs

Catch rate: 12.8 per gill net · typical 3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 16, 1991	12.83	-	1.38 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.36 lbs

Catch rate: 4.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–5.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 16, 1991	4.33	-	1.36 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 25

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.12 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 2–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 16, 1991	0.33	-	1.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 16, 1991	1.17	-	3.36 lbs	Standard gill nets

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

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

Biologist Notes

September 16, 1991WAE CPUE IN THIS ASSESSMENT (12.83 FISH/GILL NET) WAS WELL ABOVE THE REGIONAL MEDIAN FOR LAKES OF THIS CLASS, AND WAE RANGING FROM 9 TO 20 IN WERE COL…

WAE CPUE IN THIS ASSESSMENT (12.83 FISH/GILL NET) WAS WELL ABOVE THE REGIONAL MEDIAN FOR LAKES OF THIS CLASS, AND WAE RANGING FROM 9 TO 20 IN WERE COLLECTED. SEVERAL YEAR CLASS WERE REPRESENTED, WITH THE STRONGEST BEING 1988 AND 1986. WAE GROWTH WAS ABOUT AVERAGE FOR COOK COUNTY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE SUCCESS OF WAE STOCKING DONE IN 1986 AND 1987. WAE NATURAL REPRODUCTION IS GOOD IN ECHO LAKE, AS EVIDENCED BY SEVERAL STRONG UNSTOCKED YEAR CLASSES, AND COULD COMPLETELY MASK ANY STOCKING EFFECTS. WAE STOCKING IS UNNECESSARY IN THIS LAKE, WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS ANY SURVIVAL OF STOCKED FISH. SMB WERE ABUNDANT, AND FISH UP TO 17 IN WERE COLLECTED; HOWEVER, FEW FISH OVER AGE IV WERE CAPTURED. SMB GROWTH WAS FAST BY COOK COUNTY STANDARDS, WITH THE MEAN LENGTH AT LAST ANNULUS FOR AGE III FISH AT 9.4 IN, COMPARED TO THE COUNTY AVERAGE AT THAT AGE OF 7.5 IN. NOP ABUNDANCE WAS LOW COMPARED TO ASSESSMENTS IN THE 1970'S, AND NO LARGE FISH WERE COLLECTED. NO YEP WERE CAPTURED, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE FOUND IN LOW NUMBERS IN THE 1971 AND 1979 ASSESSMENTS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Echo?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike in Echo. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Echo?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Echo. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Echo?

Echo has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Echo last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Echo is from 1991. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Echo have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Echo in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Echo?

No — Echo 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.