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MN Fish Finder

Kjostad

St. Louis County
Near Buyck
DOW: 69074800
Smallmouth BassExcellent · 96Northern PikeExcellent · 75WalleyeGood · 64

A 437-acre lake near Buyck in St. Louis County — best known for bass and pike. Last surveyed 2022.

Fish Species (11)

Smallmouth Bass

Excellent · 96

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jun 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size
8.9"
Avg Weight
0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 16.0 · Electrofishing survey

Size of catchable smallmouth bass80% keeper-size (12"+)
7–11" · 20%Largest sampled 15"

Size from the Jul 2022 survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 11, 20220.5613.6"1.62 lbs
Jun 8, 201715.998.9"0.60 lbs
Jun 8, 20170.228.9"0.91 lbs

Northern Pike

Excellent · 75

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size
24.4"
Avg Weight
4.12 lbs

Catch rate: 1.9 per gill net · typical 1.3–5.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike53% keeper-size (24"+)
14–23" · 47%Largest sampled 36"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 11, 20221.8924.4"4.12 lbs
Jun 8, 20171.1126.2"5.34 lbs
Jul 9, 20122.6723.8"3.39 lbs

Walleye

Good · 64

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size
15.8"
Avg Weight
1.59 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 0.8–3.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye70% keeper-size (15"+)
10–14" · 30%Largest sampled 20"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 11, 20220.1115.8"0.82 lbs
Jul 11, 20221.0015.8"1.59 lbs
Jun 8, 20170.1114.8"1.10 lbs

Black Crappie

Good · 62

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size
8.9"
Avg Weight
0.54 lbs

Catch rate: 2.8 per trap net · typical 1.6–6.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie31% keeper-size (10"+)
5–9" · 69%Largest sampled 13"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 11, 20222.788.9"0.54 lbs
Jul 11, 20220.228.9"0.42 lbs
Jun 8, 20170.116.9"0.59 lbs

Bluegill

Good · 62

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size
7.2"
Avg Weight
0.43 lbs

Catch rate: 3.8 per trap net · typical 4.3–34.3 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill41% keeper-size (8"+)
3–7" · 59%Largest sampled 9"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 11, 20223.787.2"0.43 lbs
Jul 11, 20220.567.2"0.17 lbs
Jun 8, 20173.445.9"0.26 lbs

Yellow Perch

Average · 49

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size
7.2"
Avg Weight
0.22 lbs

Catch rate: 0.56 per gill net · typical 0.5–7 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch20% keeper-size (9"+)
5–8" · 80%Largest sampled 9"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 11, 20220.567.2"0.22 lbs
Jun 8, 20170.115.5"0.08 lbs
Jun 8, 20171.115.5"0.09 lbs

Pumpkinseed

Average · 43

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2002

Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution

Avg Size
6.0"
Avg Weight
0.22 lbs

Catch rate: 0.08 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 15, 20020.086.0"0.22 lbs
Jul 5, 19940.173.5"0.05 lbs
Jul 8, 19910.08-0.10 lbs

Rock Bass

Poor · 20

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2022

Avg Size
5.0"
Avg Weight
0.16 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 11, 20220.115.0"0.16 lbs
Jun 8, 20170.116.0"0.20 lbs
Jul 9, 20120.226.0"0.25 lbs

Hybrid Sunfish

Poor · 18

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1994

Last surveyed 1994 — treat with caution

Avg Size
6.0"
Avg Weight
0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 5, 19940.176.0"0.27 lbs

Largemouth Bass

Poor · 12

Below-normal numbers

Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2012

Last surveyed 2012 — treat with caution

Avg Size
9.8"
Avg Weight
1.22 lbs

Catch rate: 6.2 · Electrofishing survey

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jul 11, 20220.1113.0"1.31 lbs
Jun 8, 20170.2213.0"1.35 lbs
Jul 9, 20120.119.8"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

Average · 37

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2017

Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution

Avg Size
18.0"
Avg Weight
2.98 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per gill net · typical 1.2–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jun 8, 20170.1118.0"2.98 lbs
Jul 9, 20070.6715.8"2.19 lbs
Jul 15, 20020.5617.5"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
View on DNR LakeFinder

Location

48.1107°N, 92.6038°W

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