Smith

Minnesota DNR Fisheries Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Smith Lake on September 3rd 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 55 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 74.8 (+/- 3.9) out of 100 possible. A score of 74.8 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Moderate (70-79.9). Approximately 35 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 43.0 (+/- 6.3) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Very Poor (<50), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 91.7 (+/- 1.0) with High (85-91.9) habitat quality.

A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Smith Lake on August 10, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 20 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 26.4 feet, which was within the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 13.9°C (57°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for Cisco. Dissolved oxygen concentrations within the thermocline indicate that suitable oxythermal habitat for Cisco was available across a range of depths at the time of sampling during the summer of 2023. Data collected in 1997-2014 further indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in most years, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2010. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore experience higher levels of stress.

A temperature-dissolved oxygen profile was collected in the deepest basin on Smith Lake on August 10, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 20 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 26.4 feet, which was within the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 13.9°C (57°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for Cisco. Dissolved oxygen concentrations within the thermocline indicate that suitable oxythermal habitat for Cisco was available across a range of depths at the time of sampling during the summer of 2023. Data collected in 1997-2014 further indicate suitable oxythermal habitat in most years, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2010. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore experience higher levels of stress.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Smith. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Smith has a maximum depth of 54 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Smith has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.