Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeLake depth chart
Today's read
Rating depth structure for brook trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
22-acre lake near Cook County. The lake tops out around 34 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
The drawn water covers 22 acres wrapped in 0.9 miles of bank. A shoreline index of 1.4 says round and simple: fish relate to depth changes here, not shoreline features. About 39% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft on the modeled chart — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Figure 0.4 mi of water from one end to the other, 0.2 mi at the beam. It sits in Cook County. Pine sits 1 mi east — the closest neighbouring chart.
Come spring, look for brook trout tight to the bank in 2 to 15 ft. Expect a summer slide to 10 to 30 ft, then a winter hold in 3 to 20 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 29 ft of water and rates prime come summer. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm is the honest summer answer here.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (29 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Main-lake point (9 ft) | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (15 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Vale carries 4 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 29 ft down.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024* | Brook Trout (fingerlings) | 2,500 | — |
* 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 Vale specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Vale is about 34 ft (10 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target brook trout on Vale.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 29 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in summer. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every 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, Vale was most recently stocked 2024 with 2,500 brook trout (fingerlings). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Vale 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 1 mi · Gadwell 1 mi · Long 2 mi · West Pike 2 mi · Bench 2 mi · Kiowa 3 mi · Crystal 3 mi · Tomato 3 mi · Stump 3 mi · Gogebic 3 mi · North Shady 3 mi · Pemmican 3 mi
See how Vale 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. 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.