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FishGrade

Oyster

St. Louis County
Near Ely
DOW: 69033000
Lake TroutExcellent · 82Northern PikeGood · 56Rock BassPoor · 19

A 763-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County — best known for trout and pike. Last surveyed 1996.

Fish Species (6)

Excellent · 82

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight
2.17 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per gill net · typical 0.1–1.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable lake trout29% keeper-size (22"+)
14–21" · 71%Largest sampled 28"

Size from the Sep 1996 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 19962.5014.6"1.16 lbs
Sep 9, 19960.1714.6"4.65 lbs
Sep 9, 19881.83-2.17 lbs
Good · 56

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1988

Last surveyed 1988 — treat with caution

Avg Weight
4.45 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 1.2–3.6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike36% keeper-size (24"+)
14–23" · 64%Largest sampled 31"

Size from the Sep 1996 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 19962.1723.0"2.51 lbs
Sep 9, 19960.1723.0"5.53 lbs
Sep 9, 19880.33-4.45 lbs
Poor · 19

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size
6.0"
Avg Weight
0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 3.5 per gill net

Size of catchable rock bass5% keeper-size (8"+)
4–7" · 95%Largest sampled 8"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 19963.506.0"0.21 lbs
Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size
10.5"
Avg Weight
0.97 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 19960.6710.5"0.97 lbs
Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size
6.3"
Avg Weight
0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 19960.676.3"0.11 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.

Average · 34

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight
1.78 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 2.8–6.7 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 9, 19965.5015.2"1.87 lbs
Sep 9, 19960.1715.2"2.44 lbs
Sep 14, 19821.00-1.78 lbs

See the best lake trout lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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

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

30

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

no limit

Biologist Notes

July 29, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Oyster Lake on July 29th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Oyster Lake on July 29th, 2025, 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, the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 28.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 132.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 104.4 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 5.0 degrees C (41.0 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 late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

July 29, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Oyster Lake on July 29th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Oyster Lake on July 29th, 2025, 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, the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 28.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 132.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 104.4 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 5.0 degrees C (41.0 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 late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

July 29, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Oyster Lake on July 29th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity a…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Oyster Lake on July 29th, 2025, 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, the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 28.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 132.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 104.4 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 5.0 degrees C (41.0 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 late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat. 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 Oyster?

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

Is there public access at Oyster?

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

How deep is Oyster?

Oyster has a maximum depth of 130 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Oyster last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Oyster is from 1996. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Oyster have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Oyster?

No — Oyster has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide rock bass limit is: 30. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.

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Lake Details

Surface Area
762.91 acres
Max Depth
130 ft
Shoreline
8.65 mi
Public Access
Not confirmed
View on DNR LakeFinderDNR depth map (PDF)

Location

48.2257°N, 92.1075°W

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