A tranquil and history-rich lake nestled in the heart of Minnesota's Aitkin County.
Lake Waukenabo, situated in the gently rolling landscape of Aitkin County, Minnesota, offers a quintessential Northwoods experience. It masterfully blends rich natural beauty with a quiet, recreational atmosphere. Located approximately 14 miles northeast of Aitkin and near the community of Palisade, the lake is the centerpiece of the surrounding township and State Forest that share its unique name.
Lake Waukenabo, a 668-acre body of water with a maximum depth of 38 feet, is situated in Waukenabo Township, Aitkin County, Minnesota, about 14 miles northeast of Aitkin and near the unincorporated community of Palisade. The lake is the easternmost of three lakes in the township (the westernmost being Esquagamah Lake). Its name derives from the Ojibwe (Chippewa/Anishinaabe) language, with Rev. Joseph A. Gilfillan documenting it as "Wakonabo sagaiigun." Possible translations include "the lake of the broth of wakwug or fish milt" (referring to fish eggs or sperm) or "broth of moss growing on rocks or trees," a survival food used by Indigenous people during starvation. The Ojibwe inhabited the region long before European arrival, utilizing the lake's resources.
Aitkin County was established on May 23, 1857 (originally spelled "Aiken," corrected to Aitkin in 1872) and organized on June 30, 1871, named for fur trader William Alexander Aitkin. The gently rolling, forested landscape around the lake was part of vast pine stands in north-central Minnesota.
The area transformed during the logging boom of the late 1800s to early 1900s. Virgin red and white pine from the highlands were harvested and rafted down the nearby Hill, Willow, and Mississippi Rivers to sawmills in Brainerd. The Rabey Line railroad grade, used for timber transport, now serves as a public trail through the region. Waukenabo Township was officially organized on December 25, 1899.
A post office opened in Waukenabo on August 21, 1902 (relocated within sections 10, 11, and 33), closing on October 14, 1916, with mail rerouted to Bain. Farms dotted the township, such as that of Ernest Johnston around 1920. The population reached 316 by 2010.
Walleye stocking began in 1947 to support fishing, with natural reproduction varying. The lake became popular for angling and recreation.
In 2000, the Waukenabo State Forest (over 15,600 acres) was established, encompassing the lake and adjacent Hill River State Forest for conservation, trails, and public use. Today, the area offers a serene northwoods escape, blending its rich Indigenous, logging, and natural heritage.
| Key Milestones | Date/Event |
|---|---|
| County Established | May 23, 1857 |
| Township Organized | Dec 25, 1899 |
| Post Office Opens | Aug 21, 1902 |
| Post Office Closes | Oct 14, 1916 |
| Walleye Stocking Begins | 1947 |
| State Forest Established | 2000 |
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Waukenabo Lake (DNR ID: 01-0073-00) |
| Location | Waukenabo Township, Aitkin County 46° 58′ 24″ N, 93° 35′ 30″ W |
| Surface Area | 668 acres (2.70 km²) |
| Shoreline Length | 7.8 miles (12.6 km) |
| Maximum Depth | 38 ft (11.6 m) |
| Mean Depth | 14.2 ft (4.3 m) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi) | 6.5–9.0 ft (typical summer range) |
| Littoral Area (≤15 ft deep) |
~55% of lake (368 acres) |
| Volume | ~9,500 acre-feet |
| Watershed Area | 3,840 acres (5.9 sq mi) – mostly forested |
| Inlets | Small intermittent streams; primarily groundwater-fed |
| Outlet | Unnamed creek → Hill River → Mississippi River |
| Lake Type | Natural, mesotrophic |
| Elevation | 1,250 ft (381 m) above sea level |
| Fish Species | Northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, white sucker, bullhead |
| Walleye Stocking | Began 1947; fry stocked most years (e.g., 500,000 fry in 2023) |
| Public Access | DNR concrete ramp on north shore (off Aitkin County Rd 3) |
| Aquatic Vegetation | Coontail, bulrush, water lilies (moderate coverage) |
| Water Quality (2020–2023 avg.) | Total Phosphorus: 22 µg/L Chlorophyll-a: 7 µg/L Secchi: 7.2 ft |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 (mesotrophic) |
| Recreational Use | Fishing, pontooning, kayaking; no swimming beach |
| Surrounding Land | 80% state forest, 15% private, 5% wetland |
| Nearest Town | Palisade (4 mi SW) |
| Ice-Out (median) | April 25–May 5 |
| Metric | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic – moderately productive, good balance of nutrients and clarity |
| Secchi Depth (summer avg.) | 7.2 ft | Clear enough for submerged vegetation to 12–14 ft |
| Total Phosphorus | 22 µg/L | Low-moderate; supports algae but rarely blooms |
| Chlorophyll-a | 7 µg/L | Low algal biomass |
Trend (2000–2023): Stable mesotrophic; no eutrophication signals.
Ecological role: Plant beds provide critical spawning/rearing habitat for largemouth bass, bluegill, and young walleye.
| Species | Catch Rate (DNR net) | Avg. Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 6.2/net | 15.8" | Natural reproduction low; sustained by fry stocking |
| Northern Pike | 3.8/net | 23.1" | Abundant 20–26" fish; good pike lake |
| Largemouth Bass | 42/hour (electrofishing) | 13.4" | Strong year-classes; weedline fishery |
| Bluegill | 28.5/trap-net | 6.9" | Quality sunfish to 8.5" |
| Black Crappie | 4.1/trap-net | 8.2" | Cyclic; 2021–22 strong year-class |
| Yellow Perch | 12.3/net | 7.1" | Forage base |
Stocking: 500,000 walleye fry every odd year (2023, 2025, etc.).
| Species | Status |
|---|---|
| Zebra mussels | Not detected |
| Eurasian milfoil | Absent |
| Rusty crayfish | Not reported |
| Spiny water flea | Absent |
Prevention: DNR boat inspection station on County Rd 3 (weekends, Memorial–Labor Day).
| Activity | Season | Hot Spots / Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye fishing | May–June, Sept–Oct | South basin drop-offs (18–25 ft); jig/minnow or Lindy rig |
| Northern pike | Year-round | Weed edges (8–12 ft); sucker minnows under tip-ups (ice) |
| Bass/panfish | June–Aug | Coontail beds; plastics or live bait |
| Kayak / canoe | May–Oct | Paddle-through bulrush channels (NW bay) |
| Ice fishing | Dec–March | Portable shelters common; crappie jigs in 15 ft holes |
| Hunting | Sept–Nov | Adjacent Waukenabo State Forest – deer, grouse, waterfowl |
Best day on the water?
Mid-June: Calm morning, 68 °F air, walleye on leeches in 20 ft off the south island, loons calling, no bugs yet.