Sanborn

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sanborn Lake was conducted on July 21, 2022 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations, and a 15-foot seine was used to sample one station. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2022 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). 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 indicates Sanborn Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Pine River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Sanborn Lake is a 220-acre lake with 2.5 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 48 feet located east of Backus, MN. A DNR owned public access is located on the northeast shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Sanborn Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in this class are generally clear, productive, and with moderate depths. Nearby lakes in the same lake class are Bowen, Child, Five Point, Little Webb and Widow. The shoreline of Sanborn is heavily developed with many lake homes. The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Bluegill, and secondarily for Walleye and Yellow Perch. A 10 Sunfish possession limit was implemented in 1996 to improve size structure. This regulation was converted to a 5 Sunfish daily limit (statewide possession limit still applies) in 2022 after initial improvements from the 10 fish limit were not sustained over time. Sanborn Lake offers good opportunities for anglers seeking a variety of species. Black Crappie abundance was above the management goal and lengths ranged from 6 to 13 inches. Bluegill were caught in numbers below the management goal and lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass were sampled in good numbers with fish from 6 to 15 inches sampled. Management goals for Largemouth Bass are based spring electrofishing which was not conducted in 2022. Northern Pike abundance met the management goal and lengths ranged from 10 to 34 inches. Northern Pike size goals were partially met in 2022. Walleye were caught in numbers meeting the management goal with lengths ranging from 10 to 24 inches. Yellow Perch were caught in moderate numbers not meeting the management goal with lengths ranging from 6 to 12 inches. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Sanborn Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Sanborn Lake is a 220 acre lake located near Backus, Minnesota that has 2.46 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 48 feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Sanborn Lake is in Lake Class 31; lakes in this class are generally clear, productive, and with moderate depths. Nearby lakes in the same lake class are Child, Five Point, and Widow. In 1996, an experimental regulation reduced the sunfish possession limit to 10 fish. The objective of this regulation was to improve the size structure of the population and increase the number of Bluegills 8 inches or greater. There is a state owned public access on the north shore. The purpose of this survey was to assess the Bluegill and Black Crappie population using spring trap nets. Sanborn Lake offers opportunities for anglers seeking a variety of species. The lake has historically been known for its bass and panfish along with good numbers of Northern Pike. No Black Crappie were sampled from spring trap nets in 2017. Bluegill from spring sampling averaged 5 inches long and lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches. Approximately six percent of the Bluegill were at least 8 inches long. Other fish that are available for anglers to catch include Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Walleye, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently there are no aquatic invasive species (AIS) that have been identified in Sanborn Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

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

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

Sanborn has a maximum depth of 48 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sanborn is from 2022.

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