Schelins

St. Louis County

Near Independence (St. Louis)

DOW: 69062400

BluegillGood · 73Black CrappieGood · 61Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 161-acre lake near Independence (St. Louis) in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 1998.

Fish Species (7)

Bluegill

Good · 73

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.2"

Avg Weight

0.40 lbs

Catch rate: 2.9 per trap net · typical 0.3–6.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill47% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 53%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1998	2.89	7.2"	0.40 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 17, 1998	2.00	7.2"	0.45 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Good · 61

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.8"

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per trap net · typical 1–7.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie31% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 69%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1998	1.33	4.8"	0.52 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 17, 1998	2.33	4.8"	0.38 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 17, 1998	8.67	4.8"	-	Survey seining

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.0"

Avg Weight

5.34 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.1–1.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1998	0.11	3.0"	5.34 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 17, 1998	8.33	3.0"	-	Survey seining
Aug 17, 1998	0.17	3.0"	0.17 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 48

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.8"

Avg Weight

0.67 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per trap net · typical 0.4–2.6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed17% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 83%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1998	0.17	6.8"	0.58 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 17, 1998	0.56	6.8"	0.67 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.6"

Avg Weight

2.30 lbs

Catch rate: 3.2 per gill net · typical 2–6.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike13% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 87%Largest sampled 35"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1998	3.17	18.6"	2.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 17, 1998	0.78	18.6"	1.01 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Average · 41

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.5"

Avg Weight

2.74 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 3–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1998	0.33	18.5"	2.74 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 40

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1998

Last surveyed 1998 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.3"

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 10.0 per gill net · typical 2.2–14.6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch3% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 97%Largest sampled 12"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 17, 1998	0.33	5.3"	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 17, 1998	29.33	5.3"	-	Survey seining
Aug 17, 1998	10.00	5.3"	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

August 17, 1998Schelins lake is 148 acres and is located 4 miles west of Independence, MN on County Road 47. There is no public access to Schelins Lake. The maximum…

Schelins lake is 148 acres and is located 4 miles west of Independence, MN on County Road 47. There is no public access to Schelins Lake. The maximum depth is 23 feet and 99 percent of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Some stocking occurred prior to 1964, but this was the first lake survey conducted. The fish population is primarily composed of northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, and bluegill. Northern pike catch rates are typical for lakes in this lake class and growth is slow compared to other Duluth area lakes. Yellow perch catch rates were high for lakes in this class but growth rates are typical compared to other Duluth area lakes. Most yellow perch sampled (55%) were from the 1994 year class and the average size was 6.6 inches. Black crappie catch rates were typical for lakes in this class, however, the average size was 8.5 inches. Black crappie growth rates were slow compared to other Duluth area lakes. Bluegill catch rates were typical, but the average size was 7.7 inches and growth rates were fast compared to other Duluth area lakes. Bluegill age distribution indicated recruitment from 11 of 12 years from 1986 to 1997. Young-of-the-year black crappie, largemouth bass and yellow perch were sampled in the shoreline seines. All 26 black crappie and all of the 25 largemouth bass sampled were from the 1998 year class. Fourteen of the 88 yellow perch sampled were from the 1998 year class. Other species sampled in this survey include pumpkinseed sunfish and walleye.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Schelins?

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

Is there public access at Schelins?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Schelins. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Schelins?

Schelins has a maximum depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Schelins last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Schelins is from 1998. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.