Little

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted by Hinckley fisheries staff on Little Lake on August 25, 2025. Nearshore sampling captured 5 species of fish: Brown Bullhead, Central Mudminnow, Golden Shiner, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. The nearshore survey data is combined with standard gill and trap netting survey data from previous Little Lake surveys to calculate a Fish IBI (FIBI) score and helps assess aquatic life in Little Lake. The FIBI score for Little Lake based on this survey is below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Little Lake is a 168-acre lake in southern Chisago County located two miles northeast of Center City and is within the Lower St. Croix River Watershed. The lake has a maximum depth is 23 feet and an average depth of 9 feet. The lake is 74% littoral (15 feet or less, 124 acres). Water clarity is poor with Secchi depths to 2-3 feet. Its color is green due to algae. Little Lake has historically had poor water quality due to high internal and external nutrient loading. The lake has been listed as impaired for excessive nutrients since 2010. There are two small unnamed inlets on the northeast and northern shores that are seasonal and drain adjacent wetlands, while an unnamed small outlet is present on the northwestern shore which can connect seasonally to North Center Lake. Several vegetation surveys show that vegetation is dense, although it only grows to a depth of 8 feet due to low water clarity. Annual decomposition of aquatic plants and algae contributes to partial and severe winterkills. Differing levels of winterkill severity have affected and will continue to affect the fish community. Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water Milfoil, non-native invasive plant species, are present. Substrates consist primarily of muck. The lake is lightly developed with 9 homes. A state-owned access is located on the northeastern shore. It has a gravel parking lot that accommodates 8 vehicles with trailers. Including the initial survey in 1957, twelve fish surveys have been completed to monitor changes in species composition, number, and length distribution. Little Lake currently has an assemblage of warmwater and coolwater gamefish species including Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike, and non-gamefish species including Golden Shiners and Central Mudminnows. Walleye were stocked into Little Lake for the first time in 1986. In the past seven surveys (post Walleye introduction), gill net catch rates have ranged from 0.2/net in 2004 to 5.7/net in 2025. The 2025 catch rate is a result of high survival rates of stocked fry from the 2024 year class. Lengths ranged from 7.2 to 17.2 inches and averaged 13.7 inches. Additionally, three 3/8 inch trap nets were set to target smaller fish species. These nets caught 34 Walleye for a catch rate of 11.3/net. Walleye caught in these nets ranged in length from 7.8 to 16.5 inches and averaged 10.2 inches. Results of this survey indicate that Little Lake can support high numbers of Walleye when densities of other fish are low. The Yellow Perch gill net catch rate in 2025 was 4.7/net, which compares to the average of 11.9/net. Past catch rates ranged from 1.3/net in 1984 to 32.8/net in 1957. Lengths ranged from 5.2 to 9.4 inches and averaged 7.5 inches. While fish over 8 inches are present, the current perch population and its average size is likely too low and small to interest anglers. However, perch likely provide a primary prey source for Walleye. A total of 26 Golden Shiners were also sampled, which provide a prey source in addition to Yellow Perch. The Northern Pike gill net catch rate in 2025 was 3.3/net, which compares to the average of 5.4/net. Past catch rates ranged from 0.3/net in 1957 to 13.7/net in 1981. Lengths ranged from 21.4 to 28.2 inches and averaged 24.5 inches. Pike over 28 inches have been sampled in six of the past seven surveys, while pike over 34 inches have been sampled in two of the past four. Overall, anglers that fish Little Lake for pike can expect to catch low numbers of average size pike with a chance of catching one over 28 inches. Other species sampled in 2025 included Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, and Central Mud Minnow.

Little Lake is located in southeastern Chisago County. It is a relatively small (159 acre) shallow lake (maximum depth 23 feet), of which 78% (124 acres) is 15 feet or less). This high fertility lake has been documented to experience winterkills occasionally, with previous occurrences in 2014 and 2020. In 2023 there were reports of dead fish observed after ice out. A trap net survey in June 2023 found only Golden Shiner, Yellow Perch, and Black Bullhead. This indicates that a severe but not total winterkill did occur during the winter of 2022-2023. The current lake management plan calls for surplus Walleye fry stocking as well as restocking adult Bluegill, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass following a winterkill if warranted and available.

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

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

Little has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little is from 2025.

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