South Lindstrom

South Lindstrom Lake is a moderately fertile 499-acre lake located in southern Chisago County bordering the city of Lindstrom. The lake is broadly connected to Chisago Lake by a natural channel. The connection between the two lakes facilitates fish movement and the two lakes are considered one for management purposes. 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 (July) and 9 trap net (May) sets was conducted in 2022 to assess fish populations. The previous survey was conducted in 2018. Walleye were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 6 fish per net, typical for the lake relative to historical catches. The 2.1-pound average was also similar to previous surveys and is higher than in many similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 8.5 to 24.8 inches and averaged 17.4. Otolith aging assigned all year classes except 2021 to stocking years. While these yearlings may have been naturally reproduced, 600,000 Walleye fry were stocked in the connected North Center Lake in 2021. The Norther Pike catch, 5.3 per gill net, remained similar to the previous 6 assessments. As with the Walleye catch, pike were a little more abundant than in many similar lakes. Fish ranged from 19 to 39 inches in length with over half the catch exceeding 26 inches. Despite the size quality, half the pike catch was less than 5 years of age. Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 46.6 fish per trap net which was also similar to the past 6 catches. Size showed an uptick to a quarter pound average with more than half the catch over 7 inches. Despite the abundance of harvestable sized fish, few (<1%) exceeded 8 inches, likely a function of angler harvest. Likewise, the Black Crappie catch rate remained consistent to the catches dating back to 1995. Trap netting was done in May to hopefully sample a more representative size of crappie. Seventy percent of this catch was longer than 8 inches. Although fish better than 10 inches were present only 16% made the 9-inch mark. Nighttime electrofishing was conducted in mid-June to assess the Largemouth Bass population. Fish were sampled at a rate of 62 per hour which is a decrease from the previous survey and the lowest rate to date. Most adult bass were more than 12 inches long but like in the 2018 sample, fish over 17 inches were absent. Anglers visiting can expect quality sized Walleye, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. Plenty of harvestable crappie and sunfish are also present. At times fishing pressure can be high but the public access is large. Non-native invasive vegetation is present in South Lindstrom Lake. Eurasian Watermilfoil was first documented in the fall of 2009 and Curlyleaf Pondweed has been present since at least 1969. Anglers and boaters should take necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of invasive species.

South Lindstrom Lake is a moderately fertile 499 acre lake. It is located in southern Chisago County bordering Chisago City. The lake is broadly connected to Chisago Lake by a natural channel. The connection between the two lakes facilitates fish movement and the two lakes are considered one for management purposes. 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 in gill nets at a rate of 8.5 fish per net. This is high but fairly typical for the lake relative to historical catches. Mean weight was also typical of previous surveys at 2.4 lbs. and is higher than average compared to similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 16 to 26.5 inches and averaged 18.9. Otolith aging assigned 77% of Walleyes to the 2014 year class which would indicate excellent growth. Gill nets sampled Northern Pike at a rate of 4.1 fish per net, typical for the lake but higher than average for similar lakes. Fish ranged from 17 to 27 inches in length and averaged 21.5 inches. Year classes from 2015 to 2011 were well represented and growth appeared to be somewhat variable. Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 38.6 fish per trap net which is typical. Size was slightly smaller than average with a mean weight of 0.16 lbs., a decrease from the last couple of surveys. Fish averaged 5.5 inches in length and none were bigger than 8.2 inches. Black Crappie were sampled more effectively by gill nets than by trap nets with a catch rate of 11.1 versus 2.3 fish per net. Trap nets may not accurately sample the crappie population in this lake. Fish were well distributed in size from about 5 to 10 inches with the largest individual measuring 11.4 inches. Yellow Perch numbers remained low with 2.8 fish sampled per gill net. Average size was small at 6.7 inches and no individuals over 9 inches were sampled. Golden Shiners are believed to supplement the forage base in these lakes. Nighttime electrofishing was conducted in early June to assess the Largemouth Bass population. Fish were sampled at a rate of 158 per hour which is a decrease from the previous survey but still high. Most fish were 14 to 15 inches long. Largemouth averaged 11.9 inches but the largest sampled was only 17 inches. Smaller sizes of fish were well represented. Other species sampled were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

South Lindstrom Lake is a moderately hard water and moderately fertile 499 acre lake located in southern Chisago County bordering Chisago City. The lake is broadly connected to Chisago Lake by a natural channel. The two lakes are somewhat physically different with South Lindstrom having a smaller percentage of littoral (less than 15 feet depth) acreage (42%) than Chisago (80%). The channel allows fish to migrate freely between the two lakes. Because past surveys and assessments dating back to 1956 indicate similar fish composition and abundance, the two lakes are considered one for management purposes. Currently, the primary management species are Walleye and Largemouth Bass. The Chisago chain of lakes, which also includes Chisago, North Lindstrom, North Center, and South Center, has a history of extreme water level fluctuations. These fluctuations, up to 7 vertical feet, are believed to be due to a net loss of water to groundwater in the system, making the lakes dependent on long term cycles in precipitation. The water levels in 2009 were the lowest they have been in 40 years. Chisago-South Lindstrom Lake was selected for a special Largemouth Bass regulation due to a 1995 survey that found a high abundance of small bass in both basins. A 12-inch maximum size limit for Largemouth Bass was implemented in March 1997 and was based on the premise that angler harvest was limiting the size structure of the Largemouth Bass population. Post regulation surveys have indicated that the overall population size structure of Largemouth Bass has improved. Nighttime spring electrofishing was conducted on May 27, 2014 to assess the current Largemouth Bass population. A catch rate of 244 fish per hour was the highest catch rate observed in South Lindstrom Lake. The modal length group of Largemouth Bass observed in the electrofishing assessment was 13 inches, and lengths ranged from 7.3 to 17.8 inches. Currently, the Largemouth Bass population is meeting the objectives of the special regulation. Walleye catch rates were above average at 7.0 fish per net, which is similar to levels observed in the 2000 and 2005 assessments. Mean weight of Walleye was similar to the past two surveys at almost 2.4 pounds. Walleye lengths ranged from 12.8 to 25.6 inches with a mean length of 18.5 inches. Otolith data sorted the thirty aged Walleye into seven year classes, with all but one fish corresponding to years with fall fingerling stockings. The 2009 year class (stocked) accounted for 53% of the catch. The Walleye catch rate of 7 per net is within the long range goal of 3 to 8 per net. The Northern Pike gill net catch of 4.8 per net was above average when compared to similar lakes in Minnesota. Northern Pike catch rates have been similar in all surveys since 1995, when catch rates peaked at just over 6 fish per net. Previous to the 1995 assessment, catch rates were less than 2 per net. Mean weight was similar to the last assessment at 3.1 pounds and remained above average. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 12.8 to 30.2 inches with a mean length of 23.9 inches. The oldest Northern Pike sampled was age-8 and 7 year-classes were represented. Trap nets sampled Bluegill at above average rates. The mean weight, 0.22 pounds, was also above average. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.3 to 8.1 inches with a 6.4 inch mean length. Bluegill 7 inches and greater represented 44% of the catch, a good ratio for the Chisago Lakes Area. However, not many Bluegill exceeded 8 inches. Black Crappie gill net catch rates declined to 8.0 per net and the trap net catch rates also declined to below average. Mean weight, based on the trap net catch declined to well below average, while the mean weight of Black Crappie caught in the gill nets also declined but remained above average. Sampled Black Crappie lengths ranged from 5.3 to 10.5 inches and had a mean length of 7.0 inches, however only a few fish over 8 inches were observed. Yellow Perch numbers continue to decline and catch rates are at the lowest levels ever observed. Now at 1.3 per gill net, they are well below average when compared to similar lakes. White Sucker catch rates are also at the lowest point ever observed and no Golden Shiners were caught during the assessment. Quality fishing opportunities exist for most species in South Lindstrom Lake. At times fishing pressure can be high and anglers are encouraged to practice selective harvest to help maintain and improve the quality of South Lindstrom Lake's fishery. Selective harvest encourages releasing larger fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish. Releasing medium to large fish will help restore and maintain fish community balance, as well as increase opportunities to catch large fish in the future. The current Largemouth Bass regulation is a great example of this. This regulation protects larger fish, which has created excellent catch-and-release angling opportunities for Largemouth Bass larger than 12 inches, while still allowing for harvest of the smaller fish. Non-native invasive species of vegetation are present in South Lindstrom Lake. Eurasian Watermilfoil was first documented in South Lindstrom Lake in the fall of 2009 and Curlyleaf Pondweed has been present since at least 1969. Anglers and boaters should take necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of invasive species. Some shorelines of South Lindstrom Lake are highly developed, which can put stress on the lake's aquatic habitat and ecosystem integrity. Environmentally friendly development practices, such as shoreline buffer strips of natural vegetation, are encouraged to help maintain and improve the water quality of South Lindstrom Lake. Water level fluctuations in the Chisago chain of lakes can leave exposed sediments and if left alone, these areas will naturally vegetate and stabilize the shorelines on their own. Also, if trees and branches have fallen in the water, consider leaving them where they are to provide important habitat for fish and wildlife that is often missing in highly developed lakes.

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

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

South Lindstrom has a maximum depth of 34 feet and a mean depth of 17.3 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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