Kjostad
A 437-acre lake near Buyck in St. Louis County — best known for bass and pike. Last surveyed 2022.
Fish Species (11)
Smallmouth Bass
Above-normal numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jun 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 16.0 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Jul 2022 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | 0.56 | 13.6" | 1.62 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 15.99 | 8.9" | 0.60 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 0.22 | 8.9" | 0.91 lbs |
Northern Pike
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022
Catch rate: 1.9 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | 1.89 | 24.4" | 4.12 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 1.11 | 26.2" | 5.34 lbs |
| Jul 9, 2012 | 2.67 | 23.8" | 3.39 lbs |
Walleye
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022
Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.8–3.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | 0.11 | 15.8" | 0.82 lbs |
| Jul 11, 2022 | 1.00 | 15.8" | 1.59 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 0.11 | 14.8" | 1.10 lbs |
Black Crappie
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022
Catch rate: 2.8 per trap net · typical 1.6–6.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | 2.78 | 8.9" | 0.54 lbs |
| Jul 11, 2022 | 0.22 | 8.9" | 0.42 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 0.11 | 6.9" | 0.59 lbs |
Bluegill
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022
Catch rate: 3.8 per trap net · typical 4.3–34.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | 3.78 | 7.2" | 0.43 lbs |
| Jul 11, 2022 | 0.56 | 7.2" | 0.17 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 3.44 | 5.9" | 0.26 lbs |
Yellow Perch
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022
Catch rate: 0.56 per gill net · typical 0.5–7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | 0.56 | 7.2" | 0.22 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 0.11 | 5.5" | 0.08 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 1.11 | 5.5" | 0.09 lbs |
Pumpkinseed
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 2002 | 0.08 | 6.0" | 0.22 lbs |
| Jul 5, 1994 | 0.17 | 3.5" | 0.05 lbs |
| Jul 8, 1991 | 0.08 | - | 0.10 lbs |
Rock Bass
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022
Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | 0.11 | 5.0" | 0.16 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 0.11 | 6.0" | 0.20 lbs |
| Jul 9, 2012 | 0.22 | 6.0" | 0.25 lbs |
Hybrid Sunfish
Below-normal numbers
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994
Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5, 1994 | 0.17 | 6.0" | 0.27 lbs |
Largemouth Bass
Below-normal numbers
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2012
Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 6.2 · Electrofishing survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2022 | 0.11 | 13.0" | 1.31 lbs |
| Jun 8, 2017 | 0.22 | 13.0" | 1.35 lbs |
| Jul 9, 2012 | 0.11 | 9.8" | 1.31 lbs |
Other species in this lake (1)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
White Sucker
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.11 per gill net · typical 1.2–4.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 8, 2017 | 0.11 | 18.0" | 2.98 lbs |
| Jul 9, 2007 | 0.67 | 15.8" | 2.19 lbs |
| Jul 15, 2002 | 0.56 | 17.5" | 3.41 lbs |
Biologist Notes
August 20, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kjostad Lake on August 20th, 2025, to evaluate the quantit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kjostad Lake on August 20th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 14.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 32.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 18.0 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 8.0 degrees C (46.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Kjostad Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 20, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kjostad Lake on August 20th, 2025, to evaluate the quantit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kjostad Lake on August 20th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 14.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 32.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 18.0 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 8.0 degrees C (46.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Kjostad Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
August 20, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kjostad Lake on August 20th, 2025, to evaluate the quantit…
Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Kjostad Lake on August 20th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature decreased below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 14.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 32.8 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 18.0 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Cisco. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 8.0 degrees C (46.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. This is the first Minnesota Department of Natural Resources temperature and dissolved oxygen survey completed on Kjostad Lake during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th). When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Kjostad?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Bluegill in Kjostad. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Kjostad?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Kjostad. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Kjostad?
Kjostad has a maximum depth of 50 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Kjostad last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Kjostad is from 2022.
Does Kjostad have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Kjostad in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 437.15 acres
- Max Depth
- 50 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.44 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed