Sarah

Lake Sarah is a 561-acre lake with a maximum depth of 59 feet, located southeast of Rockford, in western Hennepin County. Sarah is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike, and also holds healthy populations of Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Bullhead, and Walleye. Walleye have been stocked privately since 2006. In 2021, a reduced possession limit, of 5 each, for Bluegill and crappies was implemented on Lake Sarah. This is part of the statewide "Quality Sunfish Initiative" (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fish/sunfish/index.html). A Standard Survey (trap nets and gill nets) was done on Lake Sarah during the week of 7/18/22. During the survey, water clarity was 2.5 feet, with low oxygen below 13 feet. Eurasian Watermilfoil remains present in Lake Sarah. Northern Pike numbers in Lake Sarah were high, with 10.3 fish caught per gill net. Average size of Northern Pike was 25.0 inches, with the largest measured at 36.6 inches. Fish age-2 through age-9 were present in the sample, showing consistent reproduction in this population. Electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was not done in 2022. The previous sampling for bass in 2017 yielded 92 fish at a rate of 52.2 fish per hour. That catch rate is similar to the previous sampling's (2013) rate of 54.0 fish per hour. These similar catch rates suggest a bass population that is consistent in its abundance over time. In 2017, Lake Sarah Largemouth Bass size ranged from 5.4 to 19.7 inches, averaging 11.6 inches and 1.15 lbs. Walleye were captured at an average rate (3.1/net) compared to similar lakes throughout the state. As of the 2017 survey, the Walleye population in Lake Sarah is primarily made up of large individuals, with an average size of 20.9 inches and 3.22 pounds, with the largest measured at 25.6 inches. Walleye grow fast in Lake Sarah, reaching 18.4 inches by age-3. Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (44.6/net) and trap nets (18.3/net) - at a higher than average catch rate relative to similar lakes. Gill-netted Black Crappie averaged 7.0 inches, trap-netted Black Crappie averaged 6.8 inches, and the largest fish measured at 10.4 inches. Twenty-eight percent of the Black Crappie sampled by both types of nets were larger than 8.0 inches. Bluegill were sampled with trap nets at a rate (42.9/net) similar to historical catches, which have ranged from 18-57 fish/net. Bluegill averaged 5.6 inches, with the largest measured at 8.7 inches. Approximately 18% of sampled fish were greater than 7 inches. Yellow Bullheads are an underutilized resource in Lake Sarah despite high numbers of quality-sized fish. Yellow Bullhead numbers were very high, at 40.3 fish per net. Average size of Yellow Bullheads in the 2022 survey was 11.8 inches, with the largest measured at 15.6 inches. Eight-seven percent of the sampled fish were larger than 10 inches. Other species observed in lower abundances in this survey include Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Golden Shiner, and Green Sunfish.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted in Sarah Lake on August 1-2, 2018 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 14 stations. A 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations and a 15-foot seine was used to sample five stations. Nearshore sampling captured 14 native species of fish including one species that is intolerant of habitat disturbance (Iowa Darter) and one tolerant species (Green Sunfish). Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from standard gill and trap netting surveys to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) that describes the overall health of the lake. 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. 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. The FIBI score for Sarah Lake based on this survey is below 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 North Fork Crow River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Lake Sarah is a 561-acre lake with a maximum depth of 59 feet, located southeast of Rockford, in western Hennepin County. Sarah is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike, but includes catchable populations of Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Bullhead, and Walleye. Walleyes have been stocked privately since 2006. A Standard Survey (trap nets and gill nets) was conducted on Lake Sarah during the week of 7/17/17. During the survey, water clarity was 3.5 feet, with low oxygen below 10 feet. Eurasian Watermilfoil also remains present in Lake Sarah. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 52.2 fish per hour, similar numbers to the previous survey (54.0 fish/hour). Largemouth Bass averaged 11.6 inches with the largest measuring 19.7 inches, while 18% of fish sampled were over 15 inches. Growth was average compared to similar lakes across the state. The Largemouth Bass population in Lake Sarah is healthy, with many year classes of fish. Northern Pike numbers in Lake Sarah were high, with 10.1/net. Average size of Northern Pike in gill nets was 19.7 inches, with the largest measured at 37.2 inches. Despite some large fish, 76% of the total catch were age-2 (20.9 inches) and age-3 (23.5 inches) individuals. Walleye were captured at a typical rate (2.4/net) compared to similar lakes throughout the state. As of the 2017 survey, the Walleye population in Lake Sarah is primarily made up of large individuals, with an average size of 19.7 inches, with the largest measured at 23.8 inches. Walleye grow fast in Lake Sarah, reaching 17 inches by age-3. Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (11.3/net) and trap nets (3.3/net) -- near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. Black Crappie averaged 6.7 inches, with the largest measured at 10.2 inches. The majority of sampled fish were identified from two year classes: age-2 (37%), and age-3 (39%) fish. These two large year classes should support angling opportunity in the future. Bluegill were sampled with trap nets at a rate (38.7/net) similar to historical catches, which have ranged from 18-57 fish/net. Bluegill averaged 5.3 inches, with the largest measured at 8.3 inches. Approximately 21% of sampled fish were greater than 7 inches. Lake Sarah consistently provides both ice and open water angling opportunity for Bluegill. Yellow Bullheads are an underutilized resource in Lake Sarah despite high numbers of quality-sized fish. Yellow Bullhead numbers were high (42.6/net), over six times the catch rate expected for similar lakes. Average size of Yellow Bullheads in the 2017 survey was 11.5 inches, with the largest measured at 15.4 inches.

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

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

Sarah has a maximum depth of 59 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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