Skogman

Skogman is a bass-panfish lake managed primarily for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. The current fisheries management plan, revised in 2017, calls for spring Walleye fry stocking when surplus is available. In order to evaluate management goals, a lake survey was conducted in July of 2022. Compared to previous Skogman Lake assessments, catch rates were lower for Northern Pike, but similar for Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch. Skogman has historically had a low Walleye population maintained by fingerling stocking. Despite the change to surplus fry stocking, the 2022 catch rate of 1.3 Walleye per net lift is very similar to the previous three assessments. Sampled Walleye were large, averaging 4.5 pounds, with all fish exceeding 20 inches. Aged Walleye were either 9 or 11 years old, both year classes correspond to fall fingerling stockings. Growth was typical, but the absence of younger fish indicates limited success of the 2017 and 2019 fry stockings. Since peaking in the 2013 assessment, The Northern Pike gillnet catch, 1.3 per net, is back near the historic lake mean. Average weight remains high though, at 4.7 pounds. Sampled northerns ranged from 24 to 32 inches in length with 60% of the catch exceeding 26 inches. The 2022 catch rate for Northern Pike fell short of the management goal. The abundance of both Bluegill and Black Crappie was similar to previous assessments. While neither species had a particularly high size structure, one fourth of the crappies were over 8 inches in length and half the Bluegill exceeded 7 inches. Night electrofishing the evening of June 6th yielded a catch rate of 51.3 per hour. Thirty eight percent of adult bass were 12 inches or greater in length with individuals over 19 inches present. The 2022 catch rate met the management goal, however the average weight of 0.9 pounds fell short of the 1.5-pound target. Other species sampled in the netting gear included Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, Yellow Perch and Bowfin. Anglers visiting Skogman Lake should expect light pressure due to limited parking and the public access. Opportunities are very good for quality sized Largemouth Bass and harvestable size Bluegill. Larger Northern Pike and Walleye are a possibility though their abundance is not currently high.

Skogman is a bass-panfish lake managed primarily for Walleye. Minnesota lakes managed for fishing have been assigned classifications based on their physical, chemical and biological similarities. Skogman is assigned to lake class 34. The present fisheries management plan calls for annual fall Walleye fingerlings stocking at a rate of one pound per littoral area (135 pounds). In order to compare the present fish population to others in this lake class and to evaluate management goals, a population assessment was conducted in July of 2013. Compared to other class 34 lakes, catch rates were high for Northern Pike, low for Walleye, and normal for Bluegill, Black Crappie and Yellow Perch. Skogman has historically had a low Walleye population maintained by fingerling stocking. The 2013 catch rate of 1 Walleye per net lift is very similar to the previous two assessments. Sampled Walleye were large, averaging 3.3 pounds, with all fish exceeding 19 inches. Walleye ages ranged from 5 to 9 years. Growth was fairly typical but the absence of younger fish indicates limited success of more recent stockings, possibly due to Northern Pike predation. The Northern Pike gillnet catch, 9.7 per net, exceeded the lake class norm and the historic lake mean. Average weight remains high though at 3.1 pounds. Sampled northerns ranged from 17.9 to 32.7 inches in length with a 23.9 inch average. The bulk of the catch was comprised of fish between 4 and 6 years of age. Pike growth was slower than the statewide rate. The abundance of both Bluegill and Black Crappie was similar to previous assessments and other lakes in class 34. While neither species had a particularly high size structure, crappies over 8 inches in length and some Bluegill greater than 7 inches were present. Despite high Northern Pike levels, Yellow Perch numbers rebounded from a historic low in the previous assessment to normal levels. Harvestable size perch were not present in the catch. Although their abundance increased, perch were essentially forage size ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 inches. Other species sampled in the netting gear included Brown Bullhead, Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, and Bowfin. These species were present in low or normal abundance.

Skogman is a fertile 226-acre lake in Isanti County. The nearest town is Cambridge. Of the 226 acres, 135 (60%) are shallower than 15 feet (littoral area). Maximum depth is 36 feet. The shoreline length is 6.1 miles. Shoreline development is high, and water clarity is typically low due to frequent algae blooms. Skogman is a bass-panfish lake managed primarily for walleye. Minnesota lakes managed for fishing have been assigned classifications based on their physical, chemical and biological similarities. Skogman is assigned to lake class 34. Various stockings have occurred through the years of mainly northern pike and walleye. The present fisheries management plan calls for walleye fingerlings to be stocked every other year at a rate of one pound per littoral area. In order to compare the present fish population to others in this lake class and to evaluate management goals, Skogman Lake was surveyed during the summer of 2006. Gear sampling types for fish consisted of standard gillnets, standard trapnets and night electrofishing for largemouth bass. Walleye abundance (1.0 per net) was below normal compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Skogman has historically had a low walleye population. The stocking of fingerlings has maintained the walleye population in the lake. Past surveys though have indicate limited migration is possible from downstream sources as far as Rum River. Average weight per fish was high at 2.9 pounds. All fish sampled were greater than 18 inches in length. Fish age five, six, and eight were present in the sample. The lack of younger fish indicates that the success of recent stocking events has been limited. The northern pike gillnet catch was 1.3 fish per net which was also below normal compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average weight was high though at 4.3 pounds. The northern pike that were sampled ranged from 21.5 to 31.4 inches in length with an average of 27.3 inches. Fifty percent of the northern pike captured were over 28 inches in length. Nighttime electrofishing was used to sample the largemouth bass population. The sample (36.9 bass/hour) ranged in length from 8.3 to 19.3 inches, averaging 14.6 inches. The number of bass sampled was down from what was sampled in 1996 (63.5 bass/hour), but average length increased from 12.2 inches. Bass ages three through ten were well represented in the sample with good distribution. Growth was normal. The bluegill trapnet catch o 27.9 fish per net was within the normal range when compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type and typical of catches in past surveys. Bluegill ranged from 4.4 to 6.7 inches with an average of 5.6 inches. About eighty-five percent of the bluegills sampled were less than six inches. Both trapnets and gillnets sampled black crappies. The trapnets caught an average of 0.8 fish per net. The gillnets caught an average of 6.5 fish per net. Black crappies ranged in size from 4.8 to 8.3 inches in length. The average size was 6.3 inches. Black crappie abundance is normal but size is small when compared to similar lakes. Seven other species were sampled in the netting gear: brown bullhead, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, carp, and bowfin. With the exception of black bullheads, these species have historically been sampled in fairly low numbers on Skogman Lake.

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

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

Skogman has a maximum depth of 36 feet and a mean depth of 10.6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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