Torch Light

Carlton County

Near Sawyer

DOW: 09002500

Northern PikeGood · 71BluegillGood · 70WalleyeGood · 59

A 126-acre lake near Sawyer in Carlton County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1997.

Fish Species (7)

Northern Pike

Good · 71

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.3"

Avg Weight

3.15 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 2.8–10 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike50% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 50%Largest sampled 31"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1997	2.50	19.3"	3.15 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1997	0.67	19.3"	1.46 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 7, 1997	0.33	19.3"	-	Survey seining

Bluegill

Good · 70

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.6"

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 5.4 per trap net · typical 3.1–24.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill54% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 46%Largest sampled 10"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1997	5.44	6.6"	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 7, 1997	1.67	6.6"	0.01 lbs	Survey seining
Jul 7, 1997	2.00	6.6"	0.52 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Stocked 2020

Good · 59

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

15.2"

Avg Weight

1.41 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 1–4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye45% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 55%Largest sampled 23"

Stocked with fingerlings once · 1,000 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1997	1.00	15.2"	1.41 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1997	0.56	15.2"	1.07 lbs	Standard trap nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2020	fingerlings	1,000	40.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Black Crappie

Stocked 2020

Good · 57

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.6"

Avg Weight

0.45 lbs

Catch rate: 2.8 per trap net · typical 1.9–13 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie28% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 72%Largest sampled 10"

Stocked with fingerlings once · 975 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1997	2.78	6.6"	0.45 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 7, 1997	3.67	6.6"	-	Survey seining

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2020	fingerlings	975	65.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Pumpkinseed

Good · 55

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.5"

Avg Weight

0.45 lbs

Catch rate: 1.2 per trap net · typical 0.8–7.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed25% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 75%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1997	0.67	5.5"	-	Survey seining
Jul 7, 1997	0.17	5.5"	1.03 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 7, 1997	1.22	5.5"	0.45 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.9"

Avg Weight

3.66 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1997	0.11	3.9"	3.66 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 7, 1997	3.67	3.9"	-	Survey seining

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Average · 47

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

19.0"

Avg Weight

6.29 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 1–5.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 7, 1997	0.33	19.0"	6.29 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 7, 1997Torchlight is a small, shallow and moderately vegetated lake located one mile southwest of Sawyer, Minnesota. Public land is present on the northwest…

Torchlight is a small, shallow and moderately vegetated lake located one mile southwest of Sawyer, Minnesota. Public land is present on the northwest portion of the lake, however, there is no developed public access. The fish community contains a natural walleye population along with sizeable bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie and northern pike. Lake residents have placed signs along the shoreline to encourage catch and release fishing. Walleye numbers were low in the 1997 survey, although several ages were sampled. Average length was 15.9 inches with a range from 11.8 to 23.8 inches. Northern pike numbers were also low with many different ages present. Average pike length was 21.6 inches with a range from 13.3 to 31.7 inches. One 19.1 inch largemouth bass was also sampled. Bluegill, black crappie and pumpkinseed numbers were low to average with the mean length at 7.2, 9.3 and 5.8 inches respectively. Bluegills over 1 pound were occasionaly seen in the 1997 investigation. No yellow perch and only two white suckers were present in the rest of the 1997 fish catch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Torch Light?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Bluegill, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed in Torch Light. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Torch Light?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Torch Light. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Torch Light?

Torch Light has a maximum depth of 14 feet and a mean depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Torch Light last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Torch Light is from 1997. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.