Sabre

Sabre Lake is a 263-acre lake located in Le Sueur County west of the town of Kilkenny. A public access is located on the north side of the lake off Le Sueur County Road 2. Sabre Lake has a maximum depth of 13 feet. Sabre Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and is stocked with Walleye fry each year at a rate of 500 per littoral acre as part of a Walleye strain evaluation study. A contingency stocking plan calls for Northern Pike adults (200 pounds), Yellow Perch adults (100 pounds), Black Crappie adults (258 pounds), and Bluegill adults (258 pounds) to be stocked after winterkill events. Sabre Lake was surveyed the week of 17 June 2021 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying six gill nets and nine trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. Walleye catch rates in Sabre Lake have remained relatively stable throughout the survey history, averaging 3.7 fish/gill net. The 2021 survey yielded 6.7 fish/gill net, which was a historic high for Walleye catch rate in Sabre Lake. Walleye were moderate sized, ranging from 10.4 to 25.6 inches and averaging 16.4 inches. Forty of the 47 Walleye aged were determined to be 2 or 3 years of age. These strong year classes were the result of stocking events in 2018 and 2019. Twenty-two Yellow Perch were sampled in the 2021 survey at Sabre Lake. The gill net catch rate was 3.1 fish/net which was below the long-term average of 4.9 fish/net. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 6.9 to 10.8 inches and averaged 9.3 inches. The Yellow Perch population was sustained through natural recruitment and is likely an important food for predators in Sabre Lake. Northern Pike abundance has varied throughout the survey years, ranging from 1.0 fish/net in 1986, 1989, and 1994 to 6.7 fish/net in 2009. The 2021 Northern Pike catch rate was 9.1, which was the highest on record for Sabre Lake. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 15.6 to 34.5 inches and averaged 21.7 inches. An additional 15 Northern Pike were sampled in trap nets and ranged in size from 15.8 to 41.9 inches in length. Northern Pike ranged in age from 1 to 7 years with 7 year classes represented. Growth was relatively slow as Northern Pike averaged only 25.7 inches at age-4. The Northern Pike population is improving and may be of high quality soon. Sabre Lake is included in the Southern Zone Northern Pike regulations. Anglers are limited to 2 Northern Pike daily and fish must be at least 24 inches to harvest. Historic Black Crappie catch rates in Sabre Lake have been variable, ranging from zero fish in 2009 to 9.2 fish/net in 1999. The 2021 Black Crappie catch rate was 19.0 fish/net. Black Crappie ranged from 1.0 to 13.3 inches and averaged 9.7 inches in length. Black Crappies ranged in age from 1 to 8 years with the majority being 3 or 4 years old. Black Crappies grew relatively fast and averaged 10.5 inches at age 4. The Black Crappie population in Sabre Lake is of high quality at this time. Bluegill abundance has been low throughout the survey history of Sabre Lake. The 2021 Bluegill catch rate was no different, at 2.3 fish/net, which was below the long-term lake average of 4.4 fish/net. Bluegills ranged from 7.5 to 9.8 inches and averaged 8.9 inches in length. Although Bluegill size structure was favorable in Sabre Lake, overall abundance appeared to be low compared to other lakes in the Cannon River watershed. Black Bullhead catch rates have steadily decreased since the peak in 1968 (186.0 fish/net). Only 2 Black Bullheads were sampled in 2021, which was well below the long-term average of 49.6 fish/net. Black Bullheads from gill nets and trap nets ranged in length from 7.7 to 12.3 inches and averaged 10.0 in length. Other fish species sampled from the 2021 survey included Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), White Sucker, Common Carp, Bowfin (dogfish), Channel Catfish, Yellow Bullhead, and Bigmouth Buffalo. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Introduction Sabre Lake is a 263 acre lake located in Le Sueur County west of the town of Kilkenny. A public access is located on the north side of the lake off Le Sueur County road 2. Sabre Lake has a maximum depth of 13.0 feet. Based on limnological variables and lake characteristics, Sabre Lake is placed in Lake Class 43. Other area lakes with this classification include Cody Lake (Rice County), Ida Lake (Blue Earth County), and Loon Lake (Waseca County). Sabre Lake is managed primarily for walleye and is stocked with walleye fry three out of every four years at a target rate of 1,500 fry per littoral acre. A contingency stocking plan calls for adult northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, and bluegill to be stocked after winterkill events. Sabre Lake was surveyed the week of June 17, 2014 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying gill nets and trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. Walleye Walleye catch rates in Sabre Lake have remained relatively stable throughout the survey history, averaging 3.3 fish/gill net. The 2014 survey yielded 3.5 fish/gill net, which is an improvement from 2009 when walleye abundance was at a record low of 1.3 fish/net. However, walleye were small, ranging from 7.4 to 18.8 inches and averaging 9.4 inches. The population was comprised of young individuals , as twenty of the twenty-one walleye collected were determined to be age-1. This strong year class is the result of a stocking event in 2013, when nearly 400,000 walleye fry were stocked. Walleye fry were stocked in 2012, 2013, and 2014 at a target rate of 1,500 fry per littoral acre. Since walleye are stocked three out of every four years, fry stocking will not occur again until 2016. Yellow Perch Yellow perch was the most abundant fish species in the 2014 survey at Sabre Lake. The gill net catch rate was 10.5 fish/net, which is above the long-term average (5.1 fish/net). Yellow perch lengths ranged from 4.9 to 10.8 inches and averaged 6.4 inches, indicating a relatively small size structure. The yellow perch population is sustained through natural recruitment and is an important prey source for predators in Sabre Lake. Northern Pike Northern pike abundance has remained variable throughout the survey years, ranging from 1.0 fish/net in 1986, 1989, and 1994 to 6.7 fish/net in 2009. The 2014 catch rate was 2.2, which was right below the long-term lake average of 2.5 fish/net. With lengths ranging from 12.1 to 29.3 inches and averaging 22.3 inches, northern pike size structure is small. Compared to other similar lakes in southern Minnesota, northern pike in Sabre Lake had relatively slow growth rates. Since northern pike are only stocked following severe winterkill events, no stocking has taken place in recent history. Black Crappie Historic black crappie catch rates in Sabre Lake have been variable, ranging from zero fish in 2009 to 9.2 fish/net in 1999. The 2014 catch rate was 2.3 fish/net, which is right below the long-term average of 2.7 fish/net. Black crappie lengths ranged from 3.9 to 10.1 inches and averaged 5.7 inches, indicating a small size structure in Sabre Lake. Bluegill Bluegill abundance has been low throughout the survey history of Sabre Lake. The 2014 catch rate was 4.7 fish/net, which was just above the long-term lake average of 4.6 fish/net. The lengths of bluegill ranged from 3.0 to 8.8 inches and averaged 7.4 inches, indicating a good size structure of bluegill. Although bluegill size structure is favorable in Sabre Lake, overall abundance appears to be low compared to other lakes in the Cannon River chain. Black Bullhead Black bullhead catch rates have steadily decreased since the peak in 1968 (186.0 fish/net). The 2014 catch rate was only 1.3 fish/net, which is well below the long-term average of 55.1 fish/net. Black bullhead from gill and trap nets ranged in length from 9.1 to 15.0 inches and averaged 11.6, indicating a good size structure. Other Species Other fish species sampled from the 2014 survey included freshwater drum (N = 53), white sucker (N = 20), common carp (N = 21), bowfin (N = 12), channel catfish (N = 6), yellow bullhead (N = 4), and bigmouth buffalo (N = 3). Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

Sabre Lake in Le Sueur County is a 263 acre lake located west of the city of Kilkenny. A public access is located on the north side of the lake, next to the Cannon River inlet. The turn to the public access is located off Dodd Road/Le Sueur County Road 2/440th Street. Sabre Lake was surveyed the week of June 15th, 2009 to monitor the fish community. Northern pike were the most abundant fish in the gill net catches at 6.7 fish per lift. Average northern pike weight was 3.6 pounds and average pike length was 24 inches. Pike ranged between 15 and 35 inches. Northern pike abundance has picked up since 2004 test netting, when pike averaged 2.2 fish per gill net. Pike have many prey options in Sabre Lake, including an abundance of white sucker (4.5 per gill net lift), yellow perch (4.7 per gill net lift), or young freshwater drum (sheepshead). Walleye continue a low level of abundance in Sabre Lake. Walleye averaged 1.3 fish per lift. Better angling options for walleye exist in the area, as well as within the Cannon River chain of lakes. Bluegills also hold a low level of abundance in Sabre Lake. Bluegill averaged 2.5 fish per trap net. A few large individuals are scattered throughout the lake; one bluegill measured 9.7 inches. No crappies were caught in the assessment. Crappie abundance has historically been low on this lake, but large (greater than 10 inches) individuals have been captured during netting assessments in the past thirty years. Seven channel catfish were caught during the assessment. Size was large; channel catfish ranged between 26 and 32 inches with an average of 28 inches, a memorable fish by length-based stock indices. Channel catfish occur throughout the Cannon River chain of lakes. White bass averaged 5.2 fish per gill net lift. White bass averaged 14 inches in length but fish up to 16 inches were netted. White Bass are found throughout the Cannon River chain of lakes but their abundance can fluctuate wildly due to inconsistent recruitment. Yellow perch fit into the interquartile range for lakes within Sabre's classification (class 43). Perch averaged 4.7 fish per gill net lift. Average length was 8.2 inches and ranged from 6.2 to 9.3 inches. Most of the total fish numbers and biomass netted in 2009 consisted of nongame underutilized species, including black bullhead, bowfin (dogfish), common carp, freshwater drum (sheepshead), highfin carpsucker, white sucker, and yellow bullhead. Many of these fish are well adapted to riverine environments, so a river-influenced lake like Sabre is a good fit for these species. This lake may be a good destination for "rough fish" niche anglers or, given its clear water, bowfishermen. Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Sabre Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cannot support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants, and natural lake bottom soils. Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, and White Crappie in Sabre. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Sabre has a maximum depth of 13 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sabre is from 2021.

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