Sturgeon

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sturgeon Lake was conducted on July 10-16, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) 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 eighteen sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample twelve stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. Two stations were not seined due to dense vegetation and soft substrate. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-one species of fish, including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA program staff. Twelve trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured nine species of fish, including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Yellow Bullhead and Bluegill comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biological 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., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). 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. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Kettle River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Sturgeon Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Sturgeon Lake is a 1,706-acre lake in northern Pine County located three miles east of Sturgeon Lake, MN, and is within the Kettle River watershed. It has a maximum depth of 40 feet and an average depth of 22 feet. Twenty-nine percent of the lake's surface area has a depth of less than 15 feet (495 acres). Water clarity is good with visibility ranging from 10 to 13 feet. There are two small inlets from adjacent wetlands, and one small outlet to Dago Lake. A thorough quantitative aquatic plant survey in 2019 sampled twenty submergent, five floating leaf, and three emergent species and concluded the lake has a diverse, high quality aquatic plant community. However, Eurasian Watermilfoil, an invasive species, increased from 2% in 2009 to 24% in 2019. Substrates consist of mostly sand and gravel. A high amount of shoreline development is present, with most of the shoreline having cabins or homes along with two resorts, and a YMCA camp. There is a state administered public access on the north end of the lake off North Shoreland Road (County Hwy 50). The access has two concrete ramps and parking for up to 24 rigs. Past surveys on Sturgeon Lake have occurred in August and indicated the lake has a moderate to high density Bluegill population, with fish over 11 inches present. Recent interest in quality sized Bluegill have led to efforts to obtain additional information on the size structure of this population. In 2024, a targeted survey for Bluegill was conducted from May 20 - 23. This survey was completed using 12 trap nets set over 3 days prior to Bluegill spawning when water temperatures ranged from 59 to 62 degrees. This survey was the first to target spawning adult Bluegill on Sturgeon Lake. A total of 413 Bluegill were sampled in 2024 for a catch rate of 8.6/net. Size structure was impressive as lengths ranged from 3.6 to 9.8 inches with an average length of 7.8 inches. Over 54 percent of the Bluegill sampled measured 8 inches or longer. Other species sampled were Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Walleye. A total of 18 Black Crappie were sampled for a catch rate of 0.4/net. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 5.5 to 11.8 inches with an average length of 8.8 inches. A total of 72 Hybrid Sunfish were sampled for a catch rate of 1.5/net. Hybrid Sunfish lengths ranged from 4.3 to 10.3 inches with an average length of 7.9 inches. A total of 62 Pumpkinseed were sampled for a catch rate of 1.3/net. Pumpkinseed lengths ranged from 6.0 to 9.3 inches with an average length of 7.7 inches.

Sturgeon Lake is a 1,405-acre lake in northern Pine County with an average depth of 22 feet and a maximum depth of 40 feet. Water clarity is good with visibility to around 10 feet. There is a public water access on the north end, two resorts, and a YMCA camp. A high amount of shoreline development is present, with most of the shoreline having cabins or homes. In 2023 a lake survey was conducted from July 31 to August 4 using nine gill nets and 12 trap nets to evaluate the fish population. Since the 1990s, the primary fisheries concern has been the high number of small Northern Pike. In 2023 most pike caught were under 22 inches (96%). Only one fish sampled was over 26 inches. A 20 inch maximum regulation for pike was implemented in 1997. This regulation was modified to a 24-to-36 inch protected slot in 2008, which was in place through 2018. In 2019 the statewide North Central zone regulation was adopted (10 bag limit, fish between 22 and 26 inches must be released, 2 over 26 inches may be kept). The goal of these regulations has been to reduce the number of small pike and to improve pike size structure. These goals have not been achieved. Likely causes of high pike numbers include high amounts of natural reproduction and recruitment, as well as extensive spawning and nursery habitat. The Walleye catch rate of 1.2 per gillnet was below the management plan goal of 5.0 per net. It was the lowest catch rate and number sampled since 1982. Walleye gillnet catch rates have varied from 1.2 per net in 2023 to 7.8 per net in 1986, with an average gillnet catch rate of 3.3 (1982 to 2023). Eleven Walleyes were sampled during the 2023 survey in gill nets. Walleyes ranged from 11.4 to 20.7 inches and had an 18.6-inch average. Walleye catch rates have declined over the past several surveys. Ages estimated from otoliths indicated three year classes were sampled (2016, 2019, 2021). These year classes corresponded to stocked years. Current Walleye stocking plans call for stocking 495 pounds of fall fingerlings on even numbered years. The Black Crappie gillnet catch was the highest recorded since 1982, both by catch rate (6.9 per net) and number (62). The average gillnet catch rate from 1982 to 2023 is 2.4 per net. Trap net catch was also high in 2023. It was the second highest recorded dating back to 1982, with only 2001 having a higher total catch and catch rate. Crappies sampled from gill and trap nets combined ranged from 4.9 to 12.5 inches and had a 7.9-inch average. Bluegill numbers have increased since 2019 based on trap net catches. The catch rate of 18.8 per net exceeded that of 2019 (10.6). The trap net catch was also above the average catch of 188 and catch rate of 17.9 per net. Bluegills sampled in gill nets and trap nets combined ranged from 3.3 to 11.4 inches and had a 6.9-inch average. A total of 276 Bluegills were measured. Of sampled Bluegill, 72% were over 6.0 inches, 59% were over 7 inches, and 28% were over 8 inches. The Bluegill population has good size structure. Largemouth Bass were not targeted with spring electrofishing in 2023. However, there were 81 captured with gill and trap nets combined. The majority (73) were caught with gill nets. The combined catch ranged in length from 5.2 to 16.0 inches. Most were from 9.0 to 10.9 inches, and from 14.0 to 14.9 inches. Even though electrofishing was not conducted in 2023, the dramatic increase in the gillnet catch indicates the bass population is currently high. Yellow perch numbers remain low. In an attempt to increase the perch population, stocking yearling and adult perch occurred in 2007, 2008, and 2013. Based on the 2023 catch it appears these stocking attempts were unsuccessful. The high number of small pike will likely result in perch numbers remaining low. Other fish sampled in the survey included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and Yellow Bullhead. White Sucker was the only species sampled in 2019 that was not sampled in 2023. Overall, the high number of small pike continues to be a concern. Small pike density likely influences perch and Walleye numbers. While regulations intended to decrease the density of small pike have occurred since 1997, they have been unsuccessful. The Largemouth Bass population continues to remain high based on the high number sampled in gill nets. Bluegill and crappie populations are doing well, both near all-time high catches. If anglers want some fishing action for small pike, nice Largemouth Bass, and the opportunity to catch some nice Bluegill and crappie, Sturgeon Lake is a good choice.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluegill, and Rock Bass in Sturgeon. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Sturgeon has a maximum depth of 40 feet and a mean depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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