In addition to a plentiful supply of walleyes, Eagle’s Nest is also home to healthy numbers of smallmouth bass, pike and big bluegills. The DNR’s 2005 survey showed bluegills averaging 6.1 inches, with the largest at 9.3 inches placing it among the top in the state.

BIRCH LAKE
Although they do quite well in lakes, most anglers know that walleyes are traditionally a river fish. That’s what makes Birch Lake such a good place to fish because it is an impoundment of old beds of the Kawishiwi and Birch rivers flowing into it. There are also several feeder creeks and a major outlet that flows to White Iron Lake.

Birch’s maximum depth is 25 feet, but the shoreline drops off into deep water along most of the lake. The best walleye fishing on Birch can be found in the shallows even in the heat of summer.

Ciscoes, yellow perch and white suckers, the major forage base, are also a great food supply for pike, so don’t be surprised if your favorite walleye rig is bitten off by one of these giants prowling the lake.

There are five public landings spread from one side to another, so before heading to Birch, make a plan of where you are going to fish so you can use the launch closest to that area.

It doesn’t make sense to use a launch on the north end if you plan to fish the large bays on the west end. You’ll spend the majority of the day winding to that side of the lake.