I have a question that maybe one of you knows. I’m getting past the age/ability of canoe tripping and have decided that voyageurs NP is more what I can handle and still keep some of what I love about our north woods trips. In researching I saw that all waters in VNP including the big lakes and hike in lakes are open to fishing except Beast Lake. That is my only question? Why? Does anyone know why that one small lake is off limits? I am asking simply out of curiosity, I’ve never been to it and probably won’t ever take the hike there but I have been in the area. It is just one of those things that peaks my curiosity. Thanks in advance if anyone has anything to add.

Just out of curiosity where did you see this regulation

I understand, it is just curiosity for me too.
https://www.voyageurs.org/topten

It mentions it under point #3
I don’t see the published date so it might not even be current.
I would have preferred contacting the NP or Natural resource websites but they were not internet friendly to ask a question.

My curiosity has imagined many possibilities to close just one small lake out of thousands. And if there is an fact to any of them, it might have been best not to bring attention to this question. I’ve thought that historic mining may have contaminated the water, or more likely an isolated strain of fish might have been located and is quietly being allowed to populate similar to the Shoepack lake Musky strain. I haven’t heard anything these are just a couple possible thoughts I came up with. And in any case, the regulation says it’s off limits so let it be for whatever reason and follow the regulation. But I may have to take a hike that way just to see if any signage tells more.

camper: "My curiosity has imagined many possibilities to close just one small lake out of thousands. And if there is an fact to any of them, it might have been best not to bring attention to this question. I’ve thought that historic mining may have contaminated the water, or more likely an isolated strain of fish might have been located and is quietly being allowed to populate similar to the Shoepack lake Musky strain. I haven’t heard anything these are just a couple possible thoughts I came up with. And in any case, the regulation says it’s off limits so let it be for whatever reason and follow the regulation. But I may have to take a hike that way just to see if any signage tells more. "

Interesting as the MN DNR lake finder site lists info on the lake including how to access it but does not mention it is off limits.

Beast Lake Info

About 10-12 years ago they stopped allowing live bait, float planes to land, or the use of private boats on any of the Kab peninsula and interior lakes in an effort to prevent spiny water flea and other AIS infestation.

VNP Rules and Regs

Backcountry/Interior Lakes
To prevent the spread of invasive species that can be found in other areas of the park, please note the following:
Use artificial bait only
No privately-owned watercraft
No aircraft landings

As far as the Beast lake fishing ban..... I have no earthly idea why they'd close it to fishing. Could contact the Falls area fisheries manager.
Phone: 218-286-5220
Email: InterFalls.Fisheries@state.mn.us

It used to be a stocked trout lake. It's currently overrun with Northern and Smallmouth. It's possible they closed it while they poison it out to prepare to be stocked with trout again.

Beast lake was stocked with trout until 1980. Northern Pike are the natural predator in the lake and trout could never establish a great population. Fishing is closed on Beast since at least 2001. Unfortunately anglers felt the need to self stock SMB into Beast. In response to illegal self stocking The DNR has closed off all fishing ever since with the goal to return it back to it’s previous status as a NP lake…must not be going well…it’s been 20 years!

T