Minnesota Fishing Guide

Namakan

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69069300

147 Surveys

Special Regulations for Namakan

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

Invasive Species Alert

Namakan has confirmed populations of:

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

24,066.28
Acres
150 ft
Max Depth
44.5 ft
Mean Depth
18
Fish Species
33
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Namakan. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 8.0 (normal) 1.1 – 10.1 0.86 lb 160
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 5.2 (normal) 1.1 – 10.1 0.96 lb 104
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 1.6 (normal) 1.1 – 10.1 0.95 lb 32
1997-09-29 Special gill nets 6.5 — 0.06 lb 39
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 4.7 (normal) 1.1 – 10.1 0.91 lb 94
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 8.6 (normal) 1.1 – 10.1 1.01 lb 172
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 8.7 (normal) 1.1 – 10.1 0.83 lb 174
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 5.8 (normal) 1.1 – 10.1 0.85 lb 115
2000-09-25 Small-mesh gill nets 17.8 — 0.09 lb 107
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 1.1 – 10.1 1.10 lb 91
2001-09-24 Small-mesh gill nets 8.5 — 0.28 lb 34

Burbot

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.3 2.41 lb 3
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.3 1.24 lb 5
1997-09-29 Special gill nets 0.2 — 1.35 lb 1
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.3 1.19 lb 1
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.3 2.74 lb 1
2014-08-18 Ontario gill nets 3.3 — 0.90 lb 30
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.3 0.37 lb 3
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.3 2.69 lb 1
2000-09-25 Small-mesh gill nets 0.2 — 1.09 lb 1
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 0.3 0.66 lb 1

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 1.1 – 2.4 4.29 lb 29
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 1.1 (below normal) 1.1 – 2.4 3.23 lb 21
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 1.1 – 2.4 4.43 lb 29
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 1.6 (normal) 1.1 – 2.4 4.09 lb 32
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 1.9 (normal) 1.1 – 2.4 4.88 lb 38
2014-08-18 Ontario gill nets 0.4 — 2.90 lb 4
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.1 – 2.4 2.54 lb 40
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 1.1 – 2.4 3.84 lb 30
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 1.9 (normal) 1.1 – 2.4 3.96 lb 37
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 1.1 – 2.4 3.92 lb 34

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.18 lb 6
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.93 lb 2
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.75 lb 2
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.27 lb 5
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.40 lb 3
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.85 lb 5
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.35 lb 5
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.28 lb 5
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 0.8 0.33 lb 9

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 4.7 0.25 lb 5
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 4.7 0.05 lb 1
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 4.7 0.05 lb 4
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 4.7 0.08 lb 1
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.1 – 4.7 0.12 lb 16
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 4.7 0.18 lb 7
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 4.7 0.19 lb 6

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 1.6 (normal) 1.4 – 3.0 1.72 lb 33
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.4 – 3.0 1.29 lb 19
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 1.2 (below normal) 1.4 – 3.0 1.55 lb 24
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 1.6 (normal) 1.4 – 3.0 1.78 lb 31
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 1.3 (below normal) 1.4 – 3.0 2.07 lb 26
2014-08-18 Ontario gill nets 0.7 — 2.42 lb 6
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.4 – 3.0 2.49 lb 46
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 2.2 (normal) 1.4 – 3.0 1.81 lb 44
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 1.4 – 3.0 1.76 lb 28
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 1.4 – 3.0 1.42 lb 36

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 7.3 (normal) 3.6 – 10.8 0.71 lb 146
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 3.9 (normal) 3.6 – 10.8 0.87 lb 77
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 6.2 (normal) 3.6 – 10.8 1.11 lb 123
1997-09-29 Special gill nets 12.7 — 0.12 lb 76
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 4.9 (normal) 3.6 – 10.8 0.93 lb 98
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 6.2 (normal) 3.6 – 10.8 0.75 lb 124
2014-08-18 Ontario gill nets 0.6 — 2.22 lb 5
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 8.0 (normal) 3.6 – 10.8 0.81 lb 159
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 13.3 (above normal) 3.6 – 10.8 0.90 lb 267
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 6.0 (normal) 3.6 – 10.8 1.01 lb 120
2000-09-25 Small-mesh gill nets 9.3 — 0.25 lb 56
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 9.9 (normal) 3.6 – 10.8 0.98 lb 198
2001-09-24 Small-mesh gill nets 6.8 — 0.13 lb 27

Smallmouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.75 lb 3
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.45 lb 2
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.28 lb 5
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.6 1.50 lb 2
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.6 1.21 lb 5
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 0.8 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.6 1.75 lb 17
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.79 lb 9
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.94 lb 7
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 0.6 0.61 lb 9

Shorthead Redhorse

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 1.0 4.10 lb 1
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 1.0 2.70 lb 1
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 1.0 3.28 lb 1
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 1.0 4.19 lb 3

LKW

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 3.0 1.06 lb 5
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 3.0 0.20 lb 4
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 3.0 0.61 lb 2
2014-08-18 Ontario gill nets 2.9 — 1.73 lb 26
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 3.0 2.06 lb 3
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 3.0 0.69 lb 2
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.1 – 3.0 0.17 lb 1

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 9.7 (above normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.17 lb 193
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 5.2 (normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.16 lb 103
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 6.5 (normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.25 lb 131
1997-09-29 Special gill nets 3.8 — 0.05 lb 23
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.12 lb 89
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 6.5 (normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.20 lb 129
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 2.5 (normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.22 lb 50
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 4.3 (normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.17 lb 86
2000-09-25 Small-mesh gill nets 4.7 — 0.04 lb 28
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 5.8 (normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.16 lb 116
2001-09-24 Small-mesh gill nets 5.8 — 0.03 lb 23
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 3.5 (normal) 1.4 – 6.8 0.17 lb 70

SAR

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 2.6 (normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.32 lb 53
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 2.0 (below normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.23 lb 41
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 3.1 (normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.27 lb 63
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 1.8 (below normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.36 lb 36
1997-09-29 Special gill nets 3.8 — 0.18 lb 23
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 1.9 (below normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.27 lb 38
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 2.5 (normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.26 lb 51
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 3.5 (normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.31 lb 71
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 1.8 (below normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.31 lb 36
2000-09-25 Small-mesh gill nets 5.5 — 0.15 lb 33
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 1.9 (below normal) 2.1 – 4.3 0.29 lb 37
2001-09-24 Small-mesh gill nets 1.8 — 0.17 lb 7

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.9 (normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.26 lb 19
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.6 (normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.30 lb 12
1988-09-19 Standard gill nets 1.1 (normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.28 lb 23
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.21 lb 6
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.22 lb 14
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 1.4 (normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.27 lb 28
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.21 lb 16
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.26 lb 3
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 1.1 (normal) 0.6 – 1.6 0.24 lb 21

LKS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1986-09-23 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 1.75 lb 2
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.56 lb 2
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 1.60 lb 2
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 1.97 lb 2
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 3.97 lb 1

GLR

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1997-09-29 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 7.52 lb 4

Trout-Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1997-09-29 Special gill nets 2.0 — 0.01 lb 12
2000-09-25 Small-mesh gill nets 0.8 — 0.01 lb 5
2001-09-24 Small-mesh gill nets 7.0 — 0.01 lb 28

RBS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1997-09-29 Special gill nets 1.3 — 0.02 lb 8
2000-09-25 Small-mesh gill nets 1.2 — 0.06 lb 7
2001-09-24 Small-mesh gill nets 5.0 — 0.05 lb 20

SLR

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 1.53 lb 1

SIL

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2010-09-27 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.03 lb 3

CIS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2014-08-18 Ontario gill nets 33.8 — 0.26 lb 304
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 1.3 — 1.10 lb 25

RHS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 6.66 lb 5

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.15 lb 1
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.07 lb 1

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2025-09-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.61 lb 7
1991-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.16 lb 2
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.19 lb 4

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-09-25 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.08 lb 2
2001-09-24 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.12 lb 2

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Arrowhead Outdoors

Ely, MN

(218) 365-5358

★ 4.9

Bass Pro Shops

Hermantown, MN

(218) 481-6900

★ 4.4

Benders

Hibbing, MN

(218) 263-5023

★ 4.5

Brimson Sportsman Corner

Brimson, MN

(218) 848-2080

★ 5

Canadian Waters Inc

Ely, MN

(800) 255-2922

★ 4.7

Canoe Country Outfitters

Ely, MN

(218) 365-4046

★ 4.9

Cenex

Hibbing, MN

(320) 894-5765

★ 5

Cliff Wold's Outfitting Co.

Ely, MN

(218) 365-3267

★ 5

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Crane Lake, MN

(218) 780-6430

★ 4.9

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4190

★ 4.5

Arrowhead Lodge

Kabetogama, MN

(218) 875-2141

★ 4.7

Bill's Boat Storage

Ely, MN

(218) 235-9824

★ 5

Birch Point Marine

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4404

★ 4.5

BP Marine Plus

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 830-2216

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Namakan

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Namakan.

C&B Rentals
Fishing Resort Hibbing

(952) 356-5234
Espland's
Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-5282
Lake Vermilion Ice Fishing
Fishing Resort Tower

(218) 290-2435
Piney Woods Retreat in Ely, Minnesota - Vacation Cabin Rental
Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 235-1212

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Namakan. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillBurbotCisco SpeciesLake SturgeonLake TroutLake WhitefishNorthern PikePumpkinseedRainbow SmeltRedhorseRock BassSaugerSmallmouth BassWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Namakan

218 Sportfishing
Fishing Guide

(218) 409-4744
Angler Management Duluth Charters
Fishing Guide

(218) 390-7933
Basswood Trails Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 349-5226
Catching Adventures
Fishing Guide

(651) 270-7155
Chamorrita Charters
Fishing Guide

(218) 393-7121
Chasin' Tail Charters MN
Fishing Guide

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

146.35 acres

Agassa

72.18 acres

Agnes

28.99 acres

Alden

189.7 acres

Alruss

28.18 acres

Angleworm

144.03 acres

Plan Your Trip to Namakan

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.