Cut Foot Sioux

Black Crappie were collected as part of a broad research project investigating populations across Minnesota.  Springtime trap net surveys collected a sample of 66 fish. Individuals averaged 10.3 inches with the largest being 13.1 inches. Growth was rapid and Black Crappie averaged 8.4 and 11.6 inches at age 3 and 6, respectively. Maximum age was 13.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Cut Foot Sioux Lake, which is located wholly within the Leech Lake Reservation, was conducted on July 8-10, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites 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 24 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 15 stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample two stations, and site conditions (e.g., dense aquatic vegetation and soft substrate) prevented the use of a seine at seven stations. Nearshore sampling captured 25 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, Burbot, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, and Rock Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program Staff. Fifteen trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 13 species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead). Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Bluegill, Bowfin, and Black Crappie comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2023 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 and Fathead Minnow). 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 provide evidence that the fish community in Cut Foot Sioux Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the Minnesota DNR FIBI general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. You can help protect the fish community in Cut Foot Sioux Lake by reducing runoff and maintaining natural shorelines.

Cut Foot Sioux is a 2,771 acre lake located 15 miles northwest of Deer River, Minnesota. The lake is connected to Little Cut Foot Sioux and Winnibigoshish, making it a popular fishing destination. The section of Fisheries has managed the laked primarily for Walleye and Northern Pike, but other popular species include Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, and Yellow Perch. Fisheries staff survey the lake approximately every five years, with the most recent survey occurring in 2023. Bluegill and Black Crappie are popular panfish species for anglers to target on Cut Foot Sioux. The lake is currently managed for quality sized sunfish, with a five fish bag limit. Bluegill sampled during the 2023 survey ranged from about 6 to 9 inches, and approximately half were from a very strong 2020 year class that averaged 6.6 inches. Black Crappie are not typically caught in large numbers in mid-summer when this survey is completed so the sample size was small, but still within the range expected for similar lakes. Crappies ranged from 5 to 12 inches. Recent creel surveys have shown that more anglers are targeting Black Crappie in Cut Foot Sioux than they have in the past. Northern Pike are fairly abundant in Cut Foot Sioux when comparing catch rates to similar lakes. High density populations tend to have a poor size structure, and while there are a lot of small pike in Cut Foot Sioux, the lake has shown the ability to grow some large pike as well. The largest sampled in 2023 measured 40.6 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small Northern Pike while releasing large individuals to improve the size structure of the population. While the strength of any given year class can widely vary, the overall abundance of Walleye in Cut Foot Sioux has remained stable over time. A strong 2019 year class made up 39% of the Walleye caught during the 2023 survey. The 2018 and 2021 year classes were also fairly well represented in the catch. With the current age distribution, the population mostly consisted of 14 to 17 inch Walleye. The 2019 year class averaged just under 15 inches at the time of the survey while the 2018 year class averaged just over 16 inches. There is some natural reproduction in Cut Foot Sioux and Winnibigoshish, and Walleye fry are also stocked here annually. It is common for Walleye populations to be dominated by just a few year classes at any given time, but there is usually some measurable amount of recruitment in Cut Foot Sioux from most year classes. During the 2023 survey there were 9 year classes present. Ages ranged from 1 to 13 years old, with sizes ranging from about 8 to 24 inches. Yellow Perch are commonly targeted in the connected Lake Winnibigoshish, but the size structure of the population in Cut Foot Sioux tends to run smaller. About 7% of the Yellow Perch caught in gill nets in 2023 were over 8 inches, and the average length was 6.6 inches. While there are some harvestable size fish in the lake, Yellow Perch typically provide more value as a prey item for the predators in Cut Foot Sioux. Tullibee (Cisco) are another important prey item. Tullibee have been decreasing in abundance in Cut Foot Sioux, which matches a trend that has been observed in Winnibigoshish and many other lakes over the past few decades. Other gamefish species in Cut Foot Sioux include Largemouth Bass and Muskellunge. These species are not commonly caught with the sample nets that are used for standard lake surveys. Other species caught in low abundance during the 2023 survey include Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Burbot, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Cut Foot Sioux has a maximum depth of 78 feet and a mean depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cut Foot Sioux is from 2024.

Yes — Cut Foot Sioux has confirmed faucet snail and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.