Sallie

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lake Sallie was conducted July 26th, 29th, and 30th, 2024, by Detroit Lakes Fisheries Staff. Data was collected from 18 sampling stations evenly spaced around the lake. All stations were sampled with a backpack electrofishing unit, 13 were sampled with a 50-foot seine and 5 stations were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured 23 species of native fish, which included eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Logperch, Iowa Darter, Least Darter and Rock Bass) and one species that are tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The three most common species captured during the nearshore survey in order of abundance were: Spottail Shiner, Bluegill, and Iowa Darter. One Least Darter was captured during this survey, marking the first known documentation of Least Darter in Lake Sallie. The nearshore fish survey data was combined with the standard survey data from July 2024 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. 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., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and 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. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Lake Sallie is located in the Otter Tail River Watershed.

Lake Sallie is a 1,280-acre lake southwest of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. It is a popular fishing lake, especially known for Walleyes and Northern Pike. A public access is on the northeast side of the lake, and a fishing pier and Aquatic Management Area provide public recreation opportunities. A Special Regulation for Northern Pike is in place for Lake Sallie. It requires that all pike from 24-36 inches be immediately released, a possession limit of three fish, and only one pike over 36 inches allowed. Lake Sallie contains Zebra Mussels, Chinese Mystery Snails, and Flowering Rush - all recognized as Aquatic Invasive Species. A standard survey using 9 gill nets, 12 trap nets, and electrofishing was completed in July 2019 to assess the fish population. The catch rate of Northern Pike was 7 per gill net, which was below the lake's historical average of 10.5 per gill net. Pike in gill nets ranged from 20 to 34 inches with a mean length of 27 inches. The Special Regulation in place for Lake Sallie appears to have increased the number of large Northern Pike. The vast majority pike sampled in 2024 were longer than 24 inches. The 2024 Walleye gill net catch rate of 9 per net was slightly lower than the historical average of 10 fish per net. Lengths of Walleyes sampled in gill nets ranged from 7 to 28 inches, with a mean length of 18 inches. Lake Sallie (and connected waters) is the source of all Walleye eggs for the Detroit Lakes DNR fish hatchery which is the source of Walleye stocked into area lakes. Trap net catches during the 2024 assessment were dominated by Bluegills, which had a catch rate of 59 fish per net. This catch rate was significantly higher than the lake's average (19 per trap net). The length of Bluegills sampled ranged from 4 to over 8 inches. The average length of Bluegills was 6 inches. A total of 16 Black Crappie were sampled by trap nets. Crappies ranged in size from 9 to 13 inches with an average length of 10 inches. The number of captured Largemouth Bass was low and fish ranged in length from 5 to 18 inches in length. Additional species sampled included Bowfin, Yellow and Brown Bullheads, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Rock Bass. No Muskellunge were sampled during mid-summer test netting in 2024, despite angler reports indicating that Lake Sallie contains a fishable population. Muskies in Lake Sallie are likely immigrants from Detroit Lake, a lake located approximately one mile upstream that is actively stocked. Another species stocked in Detroit Lake, the Lake Sturgeon, is also present in Lake Sallie, but none were captured during the 2024 survey. Also, no tullibee (cisco) were captured in 2024.

Lake Sallie is a 1,280 acre lake southwest of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. It is a popular fishing lake, especially known for Walleyes and Northern Pike. A public access is on the northeast side of the lake, and a fishing pier and Aquatic Management Area provide public recreation opportunities. A Special Regulation for Northern Pike is in place for Lake Sallie. It requires that all pike from 24-36 inches be immediately released, a possession limit of three fish, and only one pike over 36 inches allowed. Lake Sallie contains Zebra Mussels, Chinese Mystery Snails, and Flowering Rush - all recognized as Aquatic Invasive Species. A standard survey using gill nets, trap nets, and electrofishing was completed in July 2019 to assess the fish population. Northern Pike were more abundant than past surveys and had a great size distribution. The average length of Northern Pike sampled was 26 inches and had an average weight of nearly 4 pounds. The Special Regulation for Northern Pike in place at Lake Sallie has increased the number of large Northern Pike, as over 73% of pike sampled in 2019 were longer than 24 inches. The number of small pike has decreased over time due to the regulation as well. In 2019, only 5% of pike sampled were less than 20 inches in length. Walleye abundance was slightly lower in 2019 than the past survey completed in 2014, but still higher than average. Walleyes had a mean length of 16.9 inches and a mean weight of 1.8 pounds. Fortunately, fish from multiple age classes were found, as Lake Sallie is the source of Walleye eggs for the Detroit Lakes DNR fish hatchery. In 2019, Bluegill abundance was higher than average. Bluegill ranged in size from less than one inch to over eight inches in length, and had an overall average length of 3.2 inches. Other sunfish species sampled included hybrid sunfish and Pumpkinseed. Largemouth Bass and Black Crappies are popular fishing targets in Lake Sallie, especially in the spring. Bass up to 18.1 inches were sampled during this assessment, and crappies up to 13.3 inches were also captured. Tullibee are present in Lake Sallie, despite their decline in other area lakes. Average length of Tullibees measured in 2019 was 12.5 inches. Lake Sallie is open during the Tullibee netting season. Yellow, Brown, and Black Bullheads are all present in Lake Sallie. The mean length of all bullheads was near 11 inches. Commercial harvest of bullheads once occurred in Lake Sallie, and the size may interest commercial operations in the future. Additional species sampled included Bowfin, White Sucker, and Rock Bass. No Muskellunge were sampled during this assessment, although they are known to inhabit Lake Sallie, as they have migrated downstream from Detroit Lake. Lake Sturgeon are also present in Lake Sallie, as they have also migrated downstream from Lake Detroit, though none were sampled in 2019. The data from this 2019 fish survey will be combined with other assessments, including a shoreline habitat evaluation and a near-shore fish community assessment, to contribute to an overall watershed health evaluation.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Rock Bass in Sallie. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Sallie has a maximum depth of 50 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sallie is from 2024.

Yes — Sallie has confirmed flowering rush and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.