Sebie

A summer trap net survey was conducted in Sebie Lake by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment program staff on September 3-4, 2025. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured ten species of fish. Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number whereas Yellow Bullhead and Bluegill comprised a majority by biomass. The trap net survey data will be combined with seining and backpack electrofishing data from a 2026 nearshore survey and gill net data from a July 2022 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biological integrity (FIBI) score. A nearshore survey was not completed in 2025 due to low water temperatures affecting catchability of the nearshore fish community. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Pugnose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of Sebie Lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Brainerd Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Sebie Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

While most fish numbers were average at best, some decent size fish can be found. This was more evident with the larger gamefish. Northern Pike numbers were below average (2.8/gill net), but average size was nice at 23.9" and 29% of the fish were above the 22-26" slot. Largemouth Bass similarly were found in lower numbers while electrofishing at 23.8/hour. However, average length was 14.8" and 57% were 15" or larger with fish up to 19.5". Panfish numbers were average for both Bluegill (20.2/trap net) and Black Crappie (1.8/gill net). There are some harvestable fish present as 33% of the Bluegills were over 7" and 43% of the Black Crappies were over 8".

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Sebie Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff from 13-14 June 2022. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sites with one site sampled from the boat due to the soft deep sediments. A 50-foot seine was used to sample seven sites, a 15-foot seine was used at one site, and soft sediments with abundant vegetation and deep water prevented the use of seines at two sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 15 native species of fish including three species that are intolerant of disturbance (Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Least Darter) and two species that are tolerant of disturbance (Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with gill net and trap net data from an August 2022 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicate the fish community of Sebie Lake is affected by disturbance as indicated by an FIBI score very near to the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River - Brainerd Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Sebie has a maximum depth of 27 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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