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FishGrade

Gun

St. Louis County
Near Crane Lake
DOW: 69048700
Lake TroutGood · 60Yellow PerchPoor · 19

A 184-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County — best known for trout and panfish. Last surveyed 2023.

Fish Species (4)

Lake Trout

Stocked 2025
Good · 60

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size
20.9"
Avg Weight
3.07 lbs

Catch rate: 2.1 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.7 for a lake like this

Stocked with yearlings irregularly · 2,670 fish total
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 11, 20230.1730.0"10.36 lbs
Aug 25, 20080.6719.8"3.17 lbs
Aug 5, 19962.1220.9"3.07 lbs
Stocking Details
YearSizeNumberPounds
2025yearlings1,458169.9
2024yearlings1,212130.3
Poor · 19

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size
6.0"
Avg Weight
0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.12 per gill net · typical 0.4–3.7 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 5, 19960.126.0"0.07 lbs
Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 2023

Avg Size
14.5"
Avg Weight
1.46 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Sep 11, 20230.6714.5"1.46 lbs
Aug 25, 20080.5012.4"1.70 lbs
Aug 25, 20085.5012.4"0.93 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 · 46

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size
17.0"
Avg Weight
2.21 lbs

Catch rate: 0.62 per gill net · typical 0.8–5.3 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Aug 25, 20081.0020.3"3.59 lbs
Aug 5, 19960.6217.0"2.21 lbs

See the best lake trout lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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

July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 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 (maximum sampled depth 111.5 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 24.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 106.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 82.3 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 4.0 degrees C (39.2 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 Gun 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.

July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 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 (maximum sampled depth 111.5 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 24.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 106.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 82.3 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 4.0 degrees C (39.2 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 Gun 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.

July 30, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Gun Lake on July 30th, 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 (maximum sampled depth 111.5 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 24.3 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 106.6 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 82.3 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 4.0 degrees C (39.2 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 Gun 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 Gun?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout and Yellow Perch in Gun. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Gun?

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

How deep is Gun?

Gun has a maximum depth of 135 feet and a mean depth of 35.8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Gun last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Gun is from 2023.

Does Gun have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Gun?

No — Gun has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.

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Lake Details

Surface Area
183.8 acres
Max Depth
135 ft
Mean Depth
35.8 ft
Shoreline
5.06 mi
Public Access
Not confirmed
View on DNR LakeFinderDNR depth map (PDF)

Location

48.3222°N, 92.2015°W

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