Lake McDonald

Lake McDonald

Size
1,911ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Lake McDonald
Bluegill
Bluegill
Northern pike
Northern pike
Walleye
Walleye
Perch
Perch
Crappie
Crappie

Overview

Lake McDonald Map

Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.5882
0Statewide Range5.775

Lake McDonald Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jun
2024
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20249
20239
20219
20209
20189
Crappie
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.1667
0Statewide Range5.6988

Lake McDonald Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jun
2024
Jun
Northern pike
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2.8406
0Statewide Range10.50505

Lake McDonald Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jun
2024
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized northern-pike based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202338
202241
202040
201839
201739
Perch
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.7216
0Statewide Range38.21175

Lake McDonald Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jun
2024
Jun
Walleye
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
8.1687
0Statewide Range33.62505

Lake McDonald Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2023
Jun
2024
Jun