Sawbill

This assessment was to have been the second of two scheduled in the 2005 lake management plan to monitor walleye and northern pike abundance, and to determine whether a resumption of walleye stocking was needed. The first, scheduled for 2008, could not be completed. Walleye were present in fair numbers in 2013, and the catch included a few larger fish. The walleye gill net catch fell just below the normal range for a lake of this type, but was similar to catches seen in the past on this lake, where catches have ranged from 1.75 to 6.89 fish/net since 1952. Mean weight for walleye taken in gill nets fell within the normal range for the lake class, and the catch included a few fish larger than 20 inches in length. Twelve year classes, all naturally produced, contributed to the catch, including a strong 2010 year class that accounted for 55% of the total walleye catch. Growth of young walleye had been good; fish reached a mean length of 10.8 inches by the end of their third year, compared to an area average of 10.3 inches. The presence of a strong natural year class produced in 2010, and many lesser year classes that had also been produced naturally suggested strongly that there would be no need to resume walleye stocking in this lake. The management goal for the species was nearly met in 2013, and the walleye catch was as good as most observed during periods of regular stocking in this lake. The 2013 northern pike gill net catch was the highest seen in this lake since 1985, but still fell near the lower end of the normal range for the lake class. Most of the northern pike collected in 2013 were small, young fish from a strong 2011 year class. Those fish had grown fairly slowly, reaching a mean length of 12.8 inches by the end of their second year, compared to an area average of 14.2 inches. As a result of the presence of so many young fish, the mean weight for northern pike collected in gill nets in 2013 was the smallest ever seen in this lake. That should change over the next couple years as fish from the 2011 year class continue to grow. The smallmouth bass gill net catch was within the normal range for a lake of this class, and was similar to past catches in this lake. Smallmouth bass have been present in Sawbill Lake since at least the early 1970s, but have rarely been taken in large numbers in assessment nets. The lake has typically supported a fairly high quality population, with most fish taken exceeding 12 inches in length. Only two year classes contributed to the 2013 smallmouth bass catch. Growth had apparently been fairly good; fish reached a mean length of 10.5 inches by the end of their fourth year, compared to an area mean of 9.8 inches. Forage for gamefish was provided mainly by modest numbers of yellow perch, although northern pike may also have been able to prey on rock bass, walleye, and each other. Most of the white sucker present would have been too large for any but the largest northern pike in the system to take. The catch of a single cisco in 2013 marked the first time that species has been collected in Sawbill Lake. It is likely that the fish had moved into Sawbill Lake from Alton Lake, which supports a relatively dense cisco population.

The 2003 walleye catch was about normal for this lake, despite the absence of any stocking since 1993. Several year classes were included in the catch. Walleye growth had been about average; two-year-old fish averaged 11.2 inches in length and five-year-old fish averaged 15.9 inches when collected in September 2003.Smallmouth bass were present in average numbers for a lake of this class. Only three bass were caught in gill nets and none in trap nets, but the catch was normal for this lake.The northern pike catch was low for lakes of this class, and was the lowest for this lake historically. It appeared that reproduction had been poor in recent years.

The 1998 walleye catch was relatively high for this lake, despite the absence of any stocking since 1993. Several year classes were included in the catch, including a strong naturally produced 1995 year class that accounted for 50% of the catch. Walleye growth had been slow; seven-year-old fish averaged just 16.0 inches in length when collected in September 1998.Smallmouth bass were present in average numbers for a lake of this class. It appeared that natural reproduction had been sporadic; only two year classes were included in the catch.The northern pike catch was low for lakes of this class, and for this lake historically. It appeared that reproduction had been poor in recent years, with no fish collected from the 1996 year class. Northern pike growth had been slow, despite the presence of a good yellow perch population.

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

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

Sawbill has a maximum depth of 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sawbill is from 2013. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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