South Fowl

Cook County

Near Hovland

DOW: 16003400

WalleyeExcellent · 84Yellow PerchExcellent · 81Smallmouth BassGood · 50

A 1,586-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County — best known for walleye and panfish. Last surveyed 1998.

Fish Species (5)

Walleye

Excellent · 84

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.8"

Avg Weight

1.09 lbs

Catch rate: 21.2 per gill net · typical 3.2–13.7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye33% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 67%Largest sampled 22"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1998	2.33	11.8"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 20, 1998	21.20	11.8"	1.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1993	2.83	14.3"	0.43 lbs	1/4-in trap nets

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 81

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.7"

Avg Weight

0.45 lbs

Catch rate: 14.2 per gill net · typical 4.7–15.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch65% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 35%Largest sampled 12"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1998	14.20	5.7"	0.45 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1998	4.67	5.7"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 16, 1993	13.83	8.1"	0.53 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.8"

Avg Weight

1.58 lbs

Catch rate: 0.4 per gill net · typical 0.2–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1998	0.25	6.8"	0.02 lbs	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 20, 1998	0.40	6.8"	1.58 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1993	0.17	15.0"	1.87 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 37

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

14.5"

Avg Weight

1.27 lbs

Catch rate: 3.2 per gill net · typical 2–6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike8% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 92%Largest sampled 27"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1998	0.33	14.5"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 20, 1998	3.20	14.5"	1.27 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1993	0.33	15.7"	0.87 lbs	1/4-in trap nets

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

Good · 61

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.4"

Avg Weight

2.39 lbs

Catch rate: 5.6 per gill net · typical 3–11 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1998	266.83	17.4"	-	1/4-in trap nets
Jul 20, 1998	5.60	17.4"	2.39 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 16, 1993	7.17	17.7"	2.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 20, 1998The 1998 walleye catch was high for lakes of this class, but not unusually high for this lake, historically. The walleye population was entirely natur…

The 1998 walleye catch was high for lakes of this class, but not unusually high for this lake, historically. The walleye population was entirely natural, and several year classes were included in the catch. Walleye growth rates had been fast for a lake of this class, probably due to the presence of an excellent yellow perch forage base.Yellow perch were abundant, and many large fish were present. Yellow perch growth had also been relatively fast for this area. The northern pike catch was about average for lakes of this class, and for this lake historically. Northern pike growth had been slow, despite the excellent forage base, and most of the fish collected in 1998 were less than 25 inches in length. The smallmouth bass catch was similar to past catches in this lake. South Fowl Lake has not been known as a good smallmouth bass lake.

July 16, 1993Walleye were abundant and were present in a wide range of sizes, with most between 16 and 20 inches. The walleye population was entirely self-sustaine…

Walleye were abundant and were present in a wide range of sizes, with most between 16 and 20 inches. The walleye population was entirely self-sustained, with good natural reproduction in most years. Yellow perch were also abundant, and unusually large for lakes of this type. Most ranged from 10 to 12 inches. Northern pike and smallmouth bass were present in fair numbers. Most of the northern pike collected were small, two and three-year-old fish.

August 1, 1988WALLEYE ABUNDANCE IS EXCELLENT, AND SIZE IS GOOD. THERE IS GOOD NATURAL REPRODUCTION, AND SEVERAL STRONG YEAR-CLASSES ARE PRESENT. WALLEYE GROWTH IS G…

WALLEYE ABUNDANCE IS EXCELLENT, AND SIZE IS GOOD. THERE IS GOOD NATURAL REPRODUCTION, AND SEVERAL STRONG YEAR-CLASSES ARE PRESENT. WALLEYE GROWTH IS GOOD. YELLOW PERCH ARE ABUNDANT, PROVIDING GOOD FORAGE FOR GAMEFISH, AND GOOD ANGLING POTENTIAL. YELLOW PERCH GROWTH IS GOOD, BY STATE STANDARDS. SMALLMOUTH BASS ARE NOT ABUNDANT, BUT SIZE IS FAIR. GROWTH, BASED ON THE LIMITED SAMPLE, IS GOOD BY STATE STANDARDS. NORTHERN PIKE ARE ABUNDANT, BUT AVERAGE SIZE IS POOR. NORTHERN PIKE ABUNDANCE IS MUCH HIGHER IN SOUTH FOWL THEN NORTH FOWL, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in South Fowl?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike in South Fowl. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at South Fowl?

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

How deep is South Fowl?

South Fowl has a maximum depth of 10 feet and a mean depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in South Fowl last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in South Fowl is from 1998. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.