Sissabagamah

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lake Sissabagamah, was conducted on July 7- 9, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at five stations. Two stations were not seined due to dense vegetation and difficulty walking through habitat. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 11 species of fish. Bluegill and Brown Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bowfin and Bluegill comprised a majority by biomass. The trap net catch was relatively light overall. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from an August 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov web site. Results from this survey suggest that Lake Sissabagamah is near the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes, which was similar to results observed in 2014 and 2024. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Lake Sissabagamah by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Sissabagamah Lake is located approximately five miles east of the City of Aitkin. There is a state-owned public access with a concrete log ramp on the north shore of the lake. Numerous emergent plant beds and relatively undeveloped shorelines provide good habitat for fish and wildlife and a picturesque backdrop for lake users. Anglers will find opportunities to catch Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie and Bluegill. The Northern Pike gill net catch rate in 2024 (5.3 per gill net) was similar to the previous catch in 2019 (5.9/gill net) and was in the typical range when compared to lakes with similar habitat. Pike from gill nets ranged from 10.7 to 32.5 inches and averaged 18.0 inches and 0.9 pounds. In 2024, 10 percent of the gill net catch was greater than 26.0 inches compared to only 2 percent in the previous 2019 survey. Walleye have been stocked at a variety of sizes and frequencies over the last century and the current strategy calls for annual fall fingerling stocking. The Walleye catch rate in 2024 (1.3 per gill net) was within the expected range for this type of lake and similar to several previous surveys. Walleye averaged 19.5 inches and 2.5 pounds, with fish up to 25.2 inches sampled. While not the preferred gear to sample Largemouth Bass, gill nets in Sissabagama continue to capture high numbers of Bass when compared to similar lakes. Spring Bass electrofishing was conducted for the first time in 2024 to gain a better understanding of population abundance and size structure. A total of 56 Largemouth Bass were captured, for a catch rate of 33.6 per hour. Bass captured during the electrofishing assessment ranged from 3.5 to 21.0 inches and averaged 10.2 inches. The Black Crappie gill net catch rate in 2024 (1.6 per net) decreased from 2019 (5.3 per net) and was one of the lowest catches on record, but still within the anticipated range when compared to lakes with similar habitat. Black Crappie in gill nets ranged from 4.7 to 10.3 inches and averaged 6.4 inches. Only one Black Crappie was sampled in trap nets during the standard survey and measured 9.2 inches. The spring panfish assessment sampled larger fish and had a slightly higher sample size compared to the standard survey. Black Crappie sampled in spring trap nets (3.0 per net) averaged 9.6 inches and ranged from 8.2 to 11.2 inches. Bluegill trap net catch rates in 2024 (5.4 per net) were similar to 2019 (6.3 per net), but below the expected range when compared to similar lakes for the second consecutive survey. Although Bluegill trap net catch rates in 2024 were the lowest on record since 1970, gill net catch rates in 2024 (8.0 per net) were tied for the highest. Bluegill captured in trap nets averaged 6.4 inches with 6 percent greater than 8.0 inches, while Bluegill captured in gill nets averaged 7.1 inches with 22 percent greater than 8.0 inches. In addition to the standard survey work, a spring panfish assessment was also conducted. The spring assessment captured more Bluegill than the standard survey, but the overall size structure was comparable to summer catches. Bluegill in the spring assessment averaged 7.1 inches, with 14 percent greater than 8.0 inches. Other species sampled during the standard survey include Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rockbass, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. In addition to the standard survey work, IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling using backpack electrofishing and seining was also conducted in 2024 to more broadly sample the general fish community and develop a fish-based index of overall lake health. Seventeen nearshore fish species were sampled during the IBI survey including Blackchin Shiner, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Blacknose Shiner, Central Mudminnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sissabagamah Like was conducted the week of 07/03/2024 by Aitkin Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations, three of which were sampled via boat due to soft sediment. Similarly, a 15-foot seine was used at seven stations. Three stations were not seined due to soft sediment and dense vegetation. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a 08/12/2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of biotic integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. Nearshore sampling captured 23 species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance and cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) and two that are tolerant of disturbance or degraded conditions (Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey suggest that Sissabagamah is near the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes, which was nearly idendical to results observed in 2014. These survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippir River-Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Sissabagama Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Walleye, and Green Sunfish in Sissabagamah. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Sissabagamah. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Sissabagamah has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sissabagamah is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Sissabagamah in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.