Sargent

Sargent Lake is a small, shallow lake located within the White Earth Indian Reservation, approximately 3 miles west of Naytahwaush, MN. A DNR-owned public access exists on the west side of the lake, but there are no docks or concrete planks. Winterkill or partial winterkill has occurred in severe winters in Sargent Lake, but it has not been documented in recent history. Spawning areas seem to be adequate for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike, but Walleye spawning habitat is not present. A standard survey was completed on Sargent Lake from 07/28/2024 to 07/29/2024 to assess the fish community. Only four Walleye were captured in 2025 and averaged just over 15 inches in length. The DNR has not stocked any Walley in Sargent Lake since 1982, so these fish are likely the result of migration between Sargent and upstream North Twin Lake. Northern Pike abundance reached an all-time high in 2025, but the population in Sargent Lake was dominated by "hammer handles" and would benefit from anglers keeping pike that measure under 22 inches. Only 6.4% of measured pike were 24 inches long or longer. Yellow Perch were also abundant in Sargent Lake in 2025. Average length of Yellow Perch in gill nets was 7.6 inches with fish up to 12.4 inches being captured. Bluegill trap net catch in 2025 tied the highest on record for Sargent Lake at 15 per net. Bluegill sampled in trap nets had an average length of 5.9 inches with a maximum length of 8.6 inches. Similar to past surveys, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass abundance was low. Other species sampled during this survey included Brown Bullhead, Black Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker. The natural setting of Sargent Lake makes for an enjoyable outing even if the fish are not biting. Anglers can help to maintain balance in fish populations by voluntarily releasing a portion of medium and large fish and keeping smaller ones for eating. This is particularly true for Northern Pike and Bluegill. Shoreline owners and other watershed dwellers can help to maintain or improve water quality and fish habitat by leaving shoreline buffer zones, by leaving stands of native aquatic vegetation intact, by taking precautions to prevent invasive species introductions, and by using wise land management practices.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sargent Lake was conducted July 2nd, 2025, by Detroit Lakes Fisheries Staff. Data was collected from 10 sampling stations evenly spaced around the lake. All stations were sampled with a backpack electrofishing unit, and 2 stations were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Eight stations were not sampled with a seine because of dense vegetation, water being too deep, muck being too thick, or a combination of circumstances. Nearshore sampling captured 11 species of native fish, which included two species that are intolerant of disturbance (Blackchin Shiner, and Blacknose Shiner) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (Black Bullhead). The three most common species captured during the nearshore survey in order of abundance were: Bluegill, Blackchin Shiner and Central Mudminnow. The nearshore fish survey data was combined with the standard survey data from July 2025 to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (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. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Sargent Lake is located in the Wild Rice River Watershed and within the boundary of the White Earth Reservation.

Sargent Lake is a small, shallow, lake located within the White Earth Indian Reservation, approximately 3 miles west of Naytahwaush, MN. There is no development on the lake other than an abandoned farmstead. Spawning areas seem to be adequate for Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike, but Walleye spawning habitat is not present. Some fish migration between Sargent and North Twin lakes does occur. Winterkill or partial winterkill has occurred in severe winters in Sargent Lake. Winterkills have been documented or suspected in 1956, 1977, and at least one year between 1985 and 1990. Bluegill were stocked in 1977, and Walleye fry in 1978 in response to winterkill. Walleye were again stocked in 1980 and 1982, and Bluegill in 1981. These fish were stocked following the 1980 survey that found very few of either species. The DNR has not stocked any fish in Sargent Lake since 1982, but the White Earth Tribe stocked Walleye frylings or fingerlings every 2-3 years between 1989-2005. Unfortunately no Walleyes were captured in 2015, likely due to lack of spawning habitat and cessation of stocking. Northern Pike gill net catch has gradually increased since 1985, with a 2015 rate of 10.5/net. Average length of Northern Pike caught in gill nets in 2015 was 20.2 inches, and 9.8% were greater than 24 inches. Average length for four year old Northern Pike was 23.2 inches. However, 87% of those captured in gill nets were 3 or fewer years old. In 1995, Yellow Perch gill net catch was the highest on record (48 net) for Sargent Lake, and high compared to similar lakes in the state. However, Yellow Perch catch declined to 17.8 per net in 2015, likely in response to greater Northern Pike abundance. Average length of Yellow Perch in gill nets was 7 inches with fish up to 10.8 inches being captured. An extremely high Black Bullhead trap net catch (134 per net) was reported in 1995. However, no Black Bullhead were caught in trap nets in the 2015 survey. Gill nets appeared to be more efficient at sampling both Black and Brown Bullheads, with catch rates being 14.5 and 148.3 per gill net, respectively. In 2015, only three Black Crappie and a single Largemouth Bass were captured in trap nets. However, Bluegill trap net catch was the highest on record for Sargent Lake at 15.2 per net. An average four year old Bluegill was 6.2 inches in 2015, though 75% of Bluegill were less than or equal to 3 years old. The natural setting of Sargent Lake makes for an enjoyable outing even if the fish are not biting. Anglers can help to maintain balance in fish populations by voluntarily releasing a portion of medium and large fish and keeping smaller ones for eating. This is particularly true for Northern Pike and Bluegill. Shoreline owners and other watershed dwellers can help to maintain or improve water quality and fish habitat by leaving shoreline buffer zones, by leaving stands of native aquatic vegetation intact, by taking precautions to prevent invasive species introductions, and by using wise land management practices.

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

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

Sargent has a maximum depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Sargent has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.