Chisago

Chisago Lake is a moderately fertile 944 acre lake located in southern Chisago County bordering Chisago City. The lake is broadly connected to South Lindstrom Lake by a natural channel. Either lake can be accessed by a concrete public boat ramp located in the channel between lakes. The two lakes are somewhat physically different with South Lindstrom having a smaller percentage of littoral (water less than 15 feet deep) acreage (42%) than Chisago (80%). The channel allows fish to migrate freely between the two lakes. Currently, the primary management species are Walleye and Largemouth Bass. The Walleye population is maintained by stocking fingerlings in even numbered years. There is currently a special regulation on Largemouth Bass limiting harvest to fish less than 12 inches in length. A survey consisting of 6 gill net and 9 trap net sets was conducted in July 2022 to assess fish populations. The previous survey was conducted in 2018. Walleye were sampled by gill nets at a rate of 2.1 fish per net compared to 5.4 fish per net in 2018. This is a decline in the catch rate for this lake. Average weight was at 2.1 lbs. Fish ranged from 10.8 to 25.8 inches in length with an average of 17.8 inches. Eighty one percent of the catch was over 15.0 inches during the 2022 survey on Chisago Lake. The Northern Pike gill net catch of 2.1 fish per net was low for this lake, but relative to previous surveys. Average weight of pike was 4.2 lbs. Lengths ranged from 18.0 to 33.5 inches and averaged 26.3 inches. Several fish over 30 inches in length were sampled. Fifty percent of the pike caught were over 26 inches. Angler can expect to catch good numbers of hefty pike throughout the lake. Trap nets sampled Bluegill at a rate of 45.7 fish per net compared to 37.5 fish per net in 2018, which is a good catch rate for lakes of this type in the area. Average size was moderate for Bluegill at 0.24 lbs. Bluegills averaged 6.7 inches and all lengths were between 0.7 to 8.3 inches. Black Crappie were sampled at a rate of 16.8 fish per gill net which is above average for lakes of this type. Average weight was at 0.2 lbs. Fish length ranged from 4.6 to 9.7 inches and averaged 7.0 inches. Thirty-five percent of the gill net catch for crappies was over 8.0 inches. Yellow Perch numbers are up from the 2018 survey of 1.9 per net to 7.1 per net in 2022, which is average when compared to similar lakes. Size was small with a mean weight of 0.13 lbs. Fish length ranged from 5.5 to 8.6 inches and averaged 6.5 inches. Nighttime electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was conducted in early June. There is currently a special regulation on Largemouth Bass limiting harvest to fish less than 12.0 inches in length. The current catch rate of 75 fish per hour is an average catch rate for these types of lakes. Largemouth Bass averaged 12.8 inches compared to 12.9 inches in 2018. The largest fish was 18.5 inches. Chisago Lake provides a good opportunity for anglers to catch good numbers of moderate sized bass. Forty-five percent of the bass caught were over 12 inches. Quality fishing opportunities exist for most species in Chisago Lake. At times fishing pressure on Chisago Lake can be high and anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest to help maintain and improve the quality of Chisago Lake's fishery. Selective harvest encourages the release of larger fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish.

Chisago Lake is a moderately fertile 944 acre lake. It is located in southern Chisago County bordering Chisago City. The lake is broadly connected to South Lindstrom Lake by a natural channel. The connection between the two lakes facilitates fish movement. Either lake can be accessed via a concrete public boat ramp located in the channel between lakes. The primary management species are Walleye and Largemouth Bass. The Walleye population is maintained by stocking 900 lbs. of fingerlings in even numbered years. There is currently a special regulation on Largemouth Bass limiting harvest to fish less than 12 inches in length. A survey consisting of 6 gill net and 9 trap net sets was conducted in July 2018 to assess fish populations. The previous survey was conducted in 2014. Walleye were sampled by gill nets at a rate of 5.4 fish per net. This is higher than most other similar lakes but typical compared to historical catches. Fish ranged from 16.4 to 27.8 inches in length with an average of 19.5. Two-thirds of fish were from the 2014 year class with all year classes from 2015 to 2010 represented. Growth appears to have been excellent. The Northern Pike gill net catch of 5.9 fish per net was typical for the lake. Lengths ranged from 18.4 to 39 inches and averaged 23.5. Several fish over 30 inches in length were sampled. Ages were well distributed from the 2016 through 2009 year classes. Growth appeared to be fairly variable but good overall. Trap nets sampled Bluegill at a rate of 37.5 fish per net which is typical for the lake. Size also remained typical with a mean weight of 0.19 lbs. Bluegills averaged 5.8 inches and all lengths were well represented up to 8.5 inches. Black Crappie were sampled at a rate of 8.5 fish per trap net. This is typical for the lake and lakes like it. Mean weight was slightly below average compared to similar lakes at 0.27 lbs, but this is typical relative to previous surveys. Fish length ranged from 4 to 10 inches and averaged 7.7 inches. Yellow Perch abundance was low with only 1.9 fish sampled per gill net. This is below normal and continues a downward trend since a record high catch rate of 13.9 fish per net in 2010. Size was also fairly small with a mean weight of 0.12 lbs. Fish averaged 6.5 inches but none were sampled over 8 inches. The lake's forage base is supplemented by the presence of Golden Shiners. Nighttime electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was conducted in early June. The catch rate was 97 fish per hour which is slightly below the goal of 110 for the first time since 2002. Largemouth averaged 12.9 inches but the largest fish was only 16.2 inches.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community on Chisago Lake was conducted on July 23, 2018 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot beach seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 14 stations with one site sampled from the boat. Soft sediments with abundant emergent vegetation in deep water prevented the use of seines at four sampling site. Nearshore sampling captured 13 native species of fish including two species that are intolerant of high levels of disturbance (Iowa Darter and Banded Killifish). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from a standard gill and trap netting survey to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biologic Integrity (FIBI) score that describes the overall health of the lake. 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, Banded Killifish, and Iowa Darter), 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. The FIBI score for Chisago Lake based on this survey is well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar shallow lakes, indicating good water quality and habitat conditions exist for aquatic life. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Lower St. Croix River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

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

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

Chisago has a maximum depth of 34 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Chisago has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.