Wind

Lake County

Near Prairie Portage

DOW: 38064200

Northern PikeExcellent · 87WalleyeGood · 69Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 926-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County — best known for pike and walleye. Last surveyed 2011.

Fish Species (10)

Northern Pike

Excellent · 87

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

24.2"

Avg Weight

3.40 lbs

Catch rate: 3.6 per gill net · typical 1.2–3.6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike59% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 41%Largest sampled 33"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	3.56	24.2"	3.40 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1981	10.83	-	2.03 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Good · 69

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.0"

Avg Weight

2.68 lbs

Catch rate: 5.2 per gill net · typical 3.1–9.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye74% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 26%Largest sampled 28"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	5.22	18.0"	2.68 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1981	0.17	-	2.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

15.0"

Avg Weight

2.15 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per gill net · typical 0.2–0.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	0.11	15.0"	2.15 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1981	0.83	-	0.95 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

13.4"

Avg Weight

1.52 lbs

Catch rate: 1.2 per gill net · typical 0.3–0.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable smallmouth bass82% keeper-size (12"+)

7–11" · 18%Largest sampled 19"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	1.22	13.4"	1.52 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 32

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.8"

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 1.9–7.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch17% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 83%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	0.67	6.8"	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1981	0.83	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 30

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.1"

Avg Weight

0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 2.9 per gill net

Size of catchable bluegill8% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 92%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	2.89	5.1"	0.16 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1981	0.17	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Poor · 15

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.7"

Avg Weight

0.18 lbs

Catch rate: 3.1 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable rock bass4% keeper-size (8"+)

4–7" · 96%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	3.11	5.7"	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1981	3.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 0.22 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	0.22	5.0"	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1981	0.33	-	0.25 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.0"

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	0.11	5.0"	0.12 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.

White Sucker

Good · 58

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2011

Last surveyed 2011 — treat with caution

Avg Size

14.5"

Avg Weight

1.59 lbs

Catch rate: 5.1 per gill net · typical 2.8–6.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 6, 2011	5.11	14.5"	1.59 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 10, 1981	7.67	-	0.97 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

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").

Rock Bass

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

September 6, 2011Status of the Fishery Wind Lake is located approximately 14 miles NE of Ely, MN and is entirely within the BWCAW. It has a surface area of 1,009 acres…

Status of the Fishery Wind Lake is located approximately 14 miles NE of Ely, MN and is entirely within the BWCAW. It has a surface area of 1,009 acres and a maximum depth of 32 ft. Wind was thermally stratified on 09/06/2011, the first day of sampling, with a surface temperature of 67.6*F and a bottom temperature of 58.1*F. Water clarity is average. Access is by portage from either Moose Lake on the East end or Basswood Lake on the West. Both portages are approximately 0.5 miles in length. There are several USFS designated campsites around the lake. Walleye numbers in 2011 (5.2/gill net) were higher than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. Walleye sizes averaged 18.4" and the growth rate was faster than average compared to other lakes in this class. The largest walleye was 28.8". Northern pike numbers in 2011 (3.5/gill net) were approximately 46 percent of the long term average for all assessments on this lake. Pike sizes averaged 24.7" and the growth rate was slightly faster than average compared to other lakes in this class. The largest pike was 33.1". Smallmouth bass were sampled for the first time in 2011. Smallmouth numbers (1.2/gill net) were higher than average compared to other lakes in this class. Smallmouth sizes averaged 13.9" and the growth rate was slower than average compared to other lakes in this class. The largest smallmouth was 19.3". Smallmouth bass have not been stocked by DNR Fisheries in this lake. Bluegill numbers in 2011 (2.9/gill net) were higher than the long term average of 0.17 for all assessments on this lake. Bluegill mean length was 5.4" and the largest bluegill sampled was 8.6". Other game fish sampled in 2011 include largemouth bass, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, and yellow perch. White sucker (5.1/gill net) were also sampled.

August 10, 1981Wind Lake contains above average populations of northern pike, suckers, and rock bass; an average population of largemouth bass; and below average pop…

Wind Lake contains above average populations of northern pike, suckers, and rock bass; an average population of largemouth bass; and below average population of walleye, yellow perch, bluegill and pumpkinseeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Wind?

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

Is there public access at Wind?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Wind. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Wind?

Wind has a maximum depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Wind last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Wind is from 2011. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Wind have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Wind?

No — Wind 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.