Salo

Salo is a 141-acre lake with 127 (90%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lake is located 5 miles north of Rollins, Minnesota off Highway #44 and has a U.S. Forest Service administered concrete back-in access. Salo was last surveyed in 2014. Salo was surveyed during the summer of 2020 to update information about fish populations and evaluate the success of the Walleye stocking program. Salo Lake has been actively managed for Walleye by stocking fingerlings every other year since 1990. Walleye abundance of 1.2 per gillnet lift was up from 2014 (0.5) but still slightly below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was 16.7 inches. The ages of 91% of the Walleye captured corresponded to stocked year-classes, suggesting limited natural reproduction. Black Crappie abundance of 10.2 per trapnet lift was up from 2014 (4.4) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black Crappie average length was 8.9 inches. The proportion of adult Black Crappie captured that exceeded quality size (greater than 8 inches) was 88%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 10 inches) was 13%. All year-classes from 2012 to 2019 were represented with back to back strong year-classes present. Bluegill abundance of 7.1 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Bluegill average length was 6.1 inches, but only 5% of the catch exceeded preferred size (greater than 8 inches). Salo Lake also offers quality angling opportunities for Northern Pike. Northern Pike abundance of 4.5 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was large at 23.6 inches. The proportion of adult Northern Pike captured that exceeded preferred size (greater than 28 inches) was 31%, while the proportion captured that exceeded memorable size (greater than 34 inches) was 8%. Spring targeted bass sampling was suspended during 2020 due to the pandemic. However, both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are present in Salo and previous investigations have shown quality fisheries exist.

Salo is a 137 acre lake with 127 (93%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lake is located 5 miles north of Rollins, Minnesota off Highway #44 and has a Forest Service administered concrete back-in access. Salo Lake has been actively managed for walleye by stocking one pound of fingerlings per littoral acre every other year from 1990 through 2005. Stocking shifted from even to odd years after 1998. Walleye abundance of 0.5 per gillnet lift was down slightly from 2006 (0.7) and below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size was 15.2 inches but not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth. Several Walleye were also captured in the trapnets for an abundance of 0.9 per lift. Natural reproduction appears limited as all Walleye captured were aged to stocked year-classes. The 2007, 2011 and 2013 year-classes were represented. No prior Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass electrofishing assessments have been conducted on Salo Lake, but Largemouth Bass were sampled with regular assessment gear in 1989, 1994 and 2006. Smallmouth Bass have been sampled with regular assessment gear in all years except 1979. A total of 16 Largemouth Bass were sampled for a catch rate of 11.0 per hour of electrofishing on-time. Average length was 14.2 inches and recruitment was steady from 2007 through 2011. Three Smallmouth Bass with a mean length of 11.9 inches were also sampled. The catch rate of Smallmouth Bass was 2.1 fish per hour of electrofishing on-time. Not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth, but recruitment appears sporadic with only two year-classes present. Northern Pike abundance of 10.2 per gillnet lift was up substantially from 2006 (2.8) and was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. This catch represents a historical high for Salo Lake (previous range; 1.7 to 4.8). Average size was 21.3 inches. Black Crappie abundance of 4.4 per gillnet lift was up from 2006 (0.5) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 8.4 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area populations. Age analysis revealed relatively steady recruitment from 2004 through 2011. Bluegill abundance of 28.3 per trapnet lift was up substantially from 2006 (5.8) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average was 6.8 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area populations. Age analysis revealed a strong 2006 year-class and steady recruitment from 2005 through 2011. Yellow Perch abundance of 9.0 per gillnet lift was up from 2006 (5.0) but still average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size was 6.9 inches. Other fish species sampled include Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish and White Sucker.

Salo is a 137 acre lake with 127 (93%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lake is located 5 miles north of Rollins, Minnesota off Highway #44 and has a Forest Service administered concrete back-in access. Salo lake has been actively managed for walleye by stocking one pound of fingerlings per littoral acre every other year from 1990 through 2005. Stocking shifted from even to odd years after 1998. Walleye abundance of 0.7 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye gillnet catch rates had also been below average in the previous three investigations. The walleye sampled during the 2006 investigation were all born in 2003, which was a year that fingerlings were stocked. Northern pike abundance of 2.8 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size of 23.0 inches was relatively large and growth was average. All year-classes from 1999 through 2004 were represented, with a strong year-class in 2001. Black crappie abundance of 0.5 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Mean length of 7.6 inches was average and growth rate was slow. Fish were present from the 1999 through 2004 year-classes. Bluegill abundance of 5.8 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size of 5.9 inches was small and growth was slow. All year-classes from 1998 through 2004 were represented, with a strong year-class in 1998. Other fish species sampled include black bullhead, johnny darter, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Information was collected on aquatic vegetation, substrate type and water quality. Diversity of aquatic vegetation was average with a total of 26 species or species groups identified along 10 vegetation transects. Canada waterweed and ribbon-leaf pondweed were common and identified along 100% of the transects. Other than stonewort, sweetgale and water celery, all other species were rare. The most common shoal-water substrates were sand and boulder. Water analysis iindicate Salo is a slightly acidic, moderately soft-water lake with low fertility.

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

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

Salo has a maximum depth of 20 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Salo is from 2020.

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