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Rating depth structure for brook trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
20-acre lake near Cook County. The lake tops out around 52 ft. The depth chart comes from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1973, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map). Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
The drawn water covers 20 acres wrapped in 0.9 miles of bank. Nearly circular (index 1.4), so the story is the bottom, not the bank. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 69% of this chart. Tip to tip the water measures near 0.4 mi. It sits in Cook County. Its nearest charted neighbour, Pine, is 0 mi to the northwest.
Early season brook trout use the shallows, holding in 2 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 3 to 20 ft. Put Break off the point first on the milk run — a drop-off near 10 ft that grades prime for summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (1 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Structure-wise the chart holds 4 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 50 ft.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* | Brook Trout (fingerlings) | 425 | — |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports, retrieved 2026-09-11.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Gadwell specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Gadwell is about 52 ft (16 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1973, a decades-old survey (the DNR's original lake-survey map).
Anglers target brook trout on Gadwell.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For brook trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Gadwell was most recently stocked 2025 with 425 brook trout (fingerlings). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Gadwell is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Pine 0 mi · Vale 1 mi · Long 1 mi · Stump 2 mi · West Pike 3 mi · East Pike 3 mi · Tomato 3 mi · North Shady 3 mi · Kiowa 3 mi · Bench 3 mi · Pemmican 3 mi · Crystal 3 mi
See how Gadwell stacks up: best brook trout lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Cook County fishing maps (351 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.