Sisseton

Walleye have been managed for many years in the Fairmont chain-of-lakes. Past stockings have included Walleye fry, fingerling, yearlings, and adults. Essentially, whatever life stage of Walleye was available they would be stocked into the lakes. However, since 2019 the Fairmont chain-of-lakes has been stocked with Walleye fry from the Lake Sarah egg take operation. Other southwest Minnesota lakes saw good success when Walleye fry were stocked in the spring of 2023. Therefore, daytime electrofishing was conducted in September to determine if Walleye fry stocking was successful on Sisseton Lake, Budd Lake, and Hall Lake. One 15 minute station was done on each lake. Twenty-seven age-0 Walleye were captured on Sisseton (N=16), Hall (N=5), and Budd (N=6) Lakes. Catch rates varied from lake-to-lake; 57.6 per hour on Sisseton Lake, 22.9 per hour on Budd Lake, and 20.0 per hour on Hall Lake. However, the overall catch rate for the chain-of-lakes after 45 minutes of electrofishing was 36.0 per hour. It has been determined from previous Minnesota age-0 Walleye electrofishing that a fall electrofishing catch rate over 30 per hour has a good chance of resulting in a fishable year-class of Walleye for anglers 2 or 3 years later. Additionally, the average length of Walleye was 8.1 inches in Sisseton Lake, 8.2 inches in Budd Lake, and 7.9 inches in Hall Lake. When Walleye reach lengths exceeding 6 inches in their first year of growth, there is a good chance that they will survive the winter and avoid predation. A gill net and trap net survey was conducted on Sisseton Lake in August 2023 and age-0 fish were very abundant with 10 out of 14 caught in gill nets from the newly stocked 2023 year class. All that to state, there is a great chance that the 2023 Walleye year-class on the Fairmont chain-of-lakes will result in an abundant fishable population for anglers, only time will tell.

Sisseton Lake is a 139-acre, class 24 lake, located in the City of Fairmont, in Martin County. Sisseton Lake is part of the Fairmont chain-of-lakes which includes Amber, Hall, Budd, Sisseton, and George lakes. Sisseton Lake has a maximum depth of 19.0 feet, which is relatively deep for southwest Minnesota lake. Residential development has altered much of the Fairmont chain-of-lake's shoreline and many areas are altered with rock rip-rap or sand blankets. Additionally, a relatively large agricultural watershed contributes high nutrient runoff to the Fairmont chain-of-lakes as well. Sisseton Lake's gravel and sand shoreline substrate with abundant woody debris provides some habitat for fish and invertebrates. Angling pressure on the Fairmont chain-of-lakes is typically high due to its urban setting. Sisseton Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and Muskellunge and secondarily for Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Crappie. A combination of Walleye fingerlings, yearlings, and adults have been stocked since 2004, with the current stocking regime calling for Walleye fry to be stocked annually with fingerlings, yearlings, or adults stocked when they are available. During the winter of 2022-2023, Sisseton Lake experienced a partial winterkill, like many Windom area lakes. A population assessment was conducted during the week of August 14, 2023 to monitor fish populations using 2 gill nets and 8 trap nets. Eighteen species of fish were captured. Freshwater Drum, Walleye, and White Sucker were the most abundant species by percent biomass with 26.8%, 13.2% and 10.6% respectively. Channel Catfish (9.9%), Yellow Bass (9.0%), Black Crappie (6.6%), Northern Pike (6.3%), and Bigmouth Buffalo (5.5%) were the only other species with a biomass above 5%. These values may be indicative of true abundance, but caution should be used, and comparison of 2023 catch rates should be made in relation to historical catch rates to observe true trends for each species. WALLEYE The 2023 Walleye catch rate of 7.5 per gill net was the greatest ever observed and the first time Lake Sisseton ever had a gill net catch rate exceed the normal range for class 24 lakes. Also, the gill net catch rate was more than twice the long-term catch rate of 3.0 per gill net. Historically, catch rates have varied from 0.7 per gill net in 2001 and 2013 to 4.0 per gill net in 2005. Walleye from 5 different age groups were sampled. Age-0 fish were very abundant with 10 out of 14 caught in gill nets from the newly stocked 2023 year class. Therefore, size structure of Walleyes favored small fish with individuals ranging in length from 6.8 to 26.4 inches in gill nets and trap nets. Health of fish was good indicating Walleye are finding adequate food. Historically, minus the recent several years, stocking strategies for Walleye utilized in Sisseton Lake resulted in gill net catch rates from 1 to a high of 4 per gill net. So far, recent annual fry stocking appears to be boosting the population. However, the Fairmont chain-of-lakes has limited spawning habitat for Walleye and continued fry stocking will determine the true success of Walleye management in Lake Sisseton. But, so-far-so-good! MUSKELLUNGE Muskellunge have been managed in Sisseton Lake, and the entire Fairmont chain-of-lakes, since 2016. Muskie fingerling have been stocked in even years with 314 fingerling in each year, except 2020 due to COVID related shutdown of spring egg take operations (2016, 2018, and 2022). To make up for the missed stocking in 2020, the Fairmont chain-of-lakes was stocked in 2021. One 37 inch Muskie was sampled in a trap net on the south side of Sisseton Lake during the summer of 2023. Additionally, anglers are reporting catching several larger (near or above 40 inches) muskies over the past several years. A large frame trap net survey is scheduled to be conducted on the Fairmont chain-of-lakes in 2024 with recapture surveys in 2025 and 2026 (if necessary). Continued Muskie management will help to add a consistent top level predator to the Fairmont chain-of-lakes that was sorely missing. Angling opportunities for trophy Muskie are just starting on the Fairmont chain-of-lakes! BLUEGILL Historically, Bluegill catch rates in Sisseton Lake have been low, not surpassing the upper normal value (23.1 per trap net) in any survey. Bluegill catch rates have ranged from 0.9 per trap net in 1993 to 19.5 per trap net in 1984 and have averaged 6.5 per trap net since 1984. More recently, since 2001, the trap net catch rate has only fluctuated from a low of 2.6 in 2005 to a high of 9.7 in the 2018 sampling. The 2023 catch rate (3 per trap net) is a sign that the Bluegill population may be on a downturn. Bluegill ranged in length from 2.2 to 9.1 inches with a mean length of 6.8 inches in the trap net sample. Many adult Bluegill were present, but some young fish caught indicate that natural reproduction is occurring, and could be a positive sign for the future. Body condition of Bluegill was very good indicating that plenty of food is available. While the population metrics do appear encouraging, additional stocking may be warranted to boost the population and add additional spawning stock. The Fairmont Lakes Foundation (lake association) has purchased and stocked Bluegill through a free permit from the Minnesota DNR in 2014 and 2018. Bluegill typically do well in lakes that are relatively clear and have abundant aquatic vegetation. Sisseton Lake's recent surge in aquatic vegetation due to an increase in curly-leaf pondweed in May and June may actually be a benefit to the Bluegill population by providing potential nursery habitat for young Bluegill. Stocking of adult Bluegill may continue through a partnership with the Fairmont Lakes Foundation or via DNR stocking. YELLOW PERCH Yellow Perch abundance has steadily declined since surveys began in 1984, going from a high of 79.0 per gill net in 1984 to a low of 3.0 per gill net in 2005 and averaging 21.9 per gill net. In 2023, Yellow Perch were captured at a rate of 6 per gill net, which is within the normal range (2.0 to 27.9 per gill net) for class 24 lakes. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 6.5 to 8.0 inches and averaged 7.2 inches in trap nets. Condition of Yellow Perch was good, indicating ample food is available. However, there is some concern that the recently established Yellow Bass are competing with Yellow Perch. A diet determination was made for Yellow Perch, Yellow Bass, and Black Crappie during August 2018 from fish in the trap net and gill net samples. It was determined that Yellow Perch and Yellow Bass have a highly similar diet. With a similar diet, they will directly compete with one another for food. More information will be collected with netting surveys in the future to determine if these species will co-exist over the long haul. CRAPPIE In 2023, catch rates of both Black Crappie and White Crappie were extremely different. Black Crappie catch rate was the greatest ever observed at 16.4 per trap net, although still within the normal range (1.8 to 21.2 per trap net), while White Crappie catch rate of 0.13 per trap net was the lowest ever observed and less than the normal range (0.5 to 6.5 per trap net). In Sisseton Lake, it appears that the Black Crappie population is dominated by 2 strong year classes, a year class in the 3.5 to 5 inch range and one in the 9 to 11 inch range, with 1 additional year class present from 6 to 8 inches in low numbers (from length frequency estimation). Nothing can be said about White Crappie size structure with only a single fish sampled in gill nets and trap nets. Body condition was high for Black Crappie, indicating that they are feeding successfully. Crappies do well in the Fairmont chain-of-lakes and should be the most abundant sportfish for anglers to target, other than Yellow Bass. Some large Crappies could be caught, with the ability to catch a limit from time-to-time. CHANNEL CATFISH Channel Catfish were first sampled in Sisseton Lake in 1997 and their abundance peaked in 2013 with 6.7 per gill net. The 2023 catch rate of 2 per gill net was the third highest catch rate. Channel Catfish ranged in length from 9 to 28 inches and averaged 13.5 inches in gill nets and 20 inches in trap nets. Body condition of Channel Catfish was average, indicating that Channel Catfish are finding food but may experience some stress. Channel Catfish populations tend to be stable or increasing throughout southwest Minnesota, so it is not surprising to see them doing well in Sisseton Lake. Studies suggest that Channel Catfish may be highly effective at controlling black bullhead populations, which may account for the low catch rates of black bullheads (0 per gill net and 0.3 per trap net) in Sisseton Lake. Channel Catfish are not stocked and will not be stocked in Sisseton Lake so the current and future population will be self-sustaining. YELLOW BASS Yellow Bass were first documented in Hall Lake in February of 2013. It is suspected that they were illegally stocked by a private individual. Since that time they have expanded to all of the Fairmont chain-of-lakes. The gill net catch rate in Sisseton Lake was 83 per gill net in 2023. The trap net catch rate was 2.6, indicating Yellow Bass were found mainly offshore in August. The average length of Yellow Bass caught in gill nets was 7.5 inches and was 8.8 inches in trap nets with fish ranging in length from just under 6 to just over 10 inches. There appears to be 2 strong year classes of fish with 1 ranging in length from 6 to 7 inches and 1 ranging from 8 to 9.5 inches. A diet analysis was made for Yellow Bass, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie in 2018 from fish in the trap net and gill net samples and it was determined that Yellow Bass and Yellow Perch have a highly similar diet while Black Crappie are different. With a similar diet, Yellow Bass will directly compete with Yellow Perch for food. More samples from additional months need to be collected to further analyze the potential impact of Yellow Bass in the Fairmont chain-of-lakes. However, at this point, there is some indication that Yellow Perch will be the most vulnerable species. Regardless, there should be an excellent angling opportunity for Yellow Bass in the Fairmont chain-of-lakes and they are fun to catch and excellent tasting fish. OTHER SPECIES Other species sampled in Sisseton Lake during 2023 were 6 Bigmouth Buffalo, 2 Black Bullhead, 7 Common Carp, 161 Freshwater Drum, 23 Golden Shiner, 14 Largemouth Bass, 5 Northern Pike, 1 Quillback, 21 White Sucker, and 15 Yellow Bullhead. Of particular note is the high prevalence of Freshwater Drum in the Fairmont chain-of-lakes. Freshwater Drum gill net catch rates have been above the normal range (4.0 to 32.25 per gill net) since 2018. Additional sampling will continue to track each of the species and determine their relative abundance.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community in Sisseton Lake was conducted by Fisheries Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff from 21-22 June 2023. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 15-foot or 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites. A 50-foot seine was used to sample eight sites, a 15-foot seine was used at two sites. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including four species (Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and Green Sunfish) that are tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 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, 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. An additional survey was completed on Sisseton Lake in July 2018 resulting in a similar FIBI score. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates the fish community in Sisseton Lake is adversely impacted by stressors as indicated by an FIBI score below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Sisseton Lake was impaired for aquatic life use based on the Fish IBI. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to Blue Earth River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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

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

Sisseton has a maximum depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sisseton is from 2023.

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