Cherry
A 153-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County — best known for walleye. Last surveyed 2018.
Fish Species (5)
Large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.3 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2018 | 2.25 | 19.8" | 3.43 lbs |
| Jun 29, 1973 | 8.25 | - | 1.49 lbs |
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2018 | 0.50 | 16.5" | 2.83 lbs |
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2018 | 0.50 | 5.5" | 0.09 lbs |
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2018 | 0.25 | 14.3" | 3.06 lbs |
| Sep 12, 2018 | 0.50 | 14.3" | 0.47 lbs |
| Jun 29, 1973 | 3.00 | - | 1.67 lbs |
Other species in this lake (1)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2018
Last surveyed 2018 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.75 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2018 | 0.75 | 20.3" | 3.76 lbs |
| Jun 29, 1973 | 5.00 | - | 1.20 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"
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
Perch
20 daily and 40 in possession
More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)
Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers
no limit
Biologist Notes
August 1, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherry Lake on August 1st, 2025. This was done to evaluate the…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherry Lake on August 1st, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 98.4 feet), the water temperature decreased to 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 26.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 65.9 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 39.1 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Lake Trout was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.1 degrees C (39.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 13, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherry Lake on August 13th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherry Lake on August 13th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 86.9 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 26.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 79.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 53.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.7 degrees C (40.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Cherry Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 13, 2024Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherry Lake on August 13th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cherry Lake on August 13th, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 86.9 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 26.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 79.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 53.6 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.7 degrees C (40.5 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Cherry Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Cherry?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye in Cherry. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Cherry?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Cherry. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Cherry?
Cherry has a maximum depth of 100 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Cherry last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cherry is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Cherry have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Cherry in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
Are there special fishing regulations on Cherry?
No — Cherry 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.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 153.32 acres
- Max Depth
- 100 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.3 mi
- Public Access
- Yes