Sarah

Lake Sarah is a 366-acre lake located in Polk County four miles south of Erskine. This productive lake possesses a heavily developed shoreline and occasionally experiences large water level fluctuations. Lake Sarah provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. A standard fisheries survey was completed on Lake Sarah in July 2021. A special regulation of 10 sunfish per day was implemented on the lake in March 2022. Walleye abundance in 2021 was slightly higher than average but declined from the near record high observed in 2016. Walleye measured in 2021 ranged in length from 9.5 to 29.2 inches, averaging 17.2 inches long. The average length of a four year old Walleye from Lake Sarah measured 16.2 inches, revealing above average growth. Northern Pike abundance was at a record high number in 2011 but have since declined over the last two surveys in 2016 and 2021. Pike measured during the 2021 survey ranged in length from 14.1 to 36.7 inches, averaging 19.4 inches long. Eleven percent of pike had lengths of 24 inches or greater. Bluegill abundance was below average in 2021, with trap nets catching three fish per net. Sampled Bluegill ranged in length from 3.4 to 9.2 inches, averaging 4.8 inches long. Bluegill grow quickly in Lake Sarah, measuring roughly seven inches long by age four. Black Crappie abundance in Lake Sarah was moderate in 2021. Black Crappie ranged in length from 8.5 to 12.5 inches, averaging 10.4 inches long. Largemouth Bass have not been caught in Lake Sarah in significant numbers in historical lake survey assessments. Only one bass was caught in the 2021 survey. Yellow Perch abundance was low in Lake Sarah, with fish measuring five to eight inches long. Additional species sampled in 2021 included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, and White Sucker. Anglers can help to maintain Lake Sarah's valuable fishery by voluntarily releasing a portion of medium to large sized fish (specifically Northern Pike and Bluegill) and harvesting smaller fish for eating. Shoreline owners can help to improve water quality and fish habitat in Lake Sarah by leaving shoreline buffer zones, leaving stands of native aquatic vegetation intact, and by using wise land management practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution.

A Targeted survey was completed on Sarah Lake on July 7, 2020 to assess the near-shore fish population. This data will be analyzed in conjunction with the gill net and trap net survey completed in 2016 to provide a complete assessment of the fish community. The assessment will then be used to evaluate the biological condition of Sarah Lake and contribute to the assessment of the watershed. Similar sampling efforts occurred in 2017 and 2019. Ten sites within Sarah Lake were sampled during this survey. Eleven fish species were captured, two of which are species that are intolerant of poor habitat conditions (Iowa Darter and Log Perch). The most common species sampled during this survey was Yellow Perch. The results of this survey suggest that the fish community meet expectations, and is not biologically impaired. Future surveys will be used to continue to monitor the fish community.

A Targeted survey was completed on Sarah Lake on July 24, 2019 to assess the near-shore fish population. This data will be analyzed in conjunction with the gill net and trap net survey completed in 2016 to provide a complete assessment of the fish community. The assessment will then be used to evaluate the biological condition of Sarah Lake and contribute to the assessment of the watershed. A similar sampling effort occurred in 2017. Ten sites within Sarah Lake were sampled during this survey. Eleven fish species were captured, two of which are species that are intolerant of poor habitat conditions (Iowa Darter and Log Perch). The results of this survey suggest that the fish community does not meet expectations, and is potentially impaired. Future surveys will be used to continue to monitor the fish community. Shoreline habitat on Sarah Lake is sparse, likely a result of dramatic fluctuations in water level over the course of many years. Despite the sparse shoreline habitat, the number of species sampled during this survey was high. Protecting the remaining habitat may help ensure the long term health of this fish community.

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

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

Sarah has a maximum depth of 27 feet and a mean depth of 12.7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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