Sunset

Sunset Lake is in Ecological Lake Class 17, which consists of 99 lakes in northeast Minnesota that are small, shallow, have round lake basin shapes, and have water that is very soft, infertile, and turbid. Sunset Lake differs from these lakes in that it is larger (305 acres) than the lake class average of 96 acres. Sunset Lake does not stratify thermally in the summer and has good oxygen to the bottom. Winter oxygen checks during 11 winters from 1970 through 1996 showed low oxygen (1-2 ppm) during three of these winters. There are no inlets. The outlet is navigable from Sunset Lake downstream 0.5 mi to a control dam built in 1973. This dam prevents upstream fish movement. The lake bottom along the shoreline is mostly mud (77 percent) and sand (17 percent). Aquatic plants are sparse and are scattered along the shoreline to a depth of 2 ft. The total catch of fish in the gillnets in 1996 (all species combined) of 26 fish/net (18 lb/net) was normal for this lake class. Previous gillnet catches in 1983 and 1986 caught a similar total weight of fish, but numbers of fish were much higher due to higher numbers of small yellow perch. The trapnet catch in 1996 was similar to previous trapnet catches in 1983 and 1988.Fish populations in 1996, as in 1983 and 1988, were dominated by northern pike, yellow perch, and black crappie.Northern pike numbers in 1996 were normal for this lake class and were similar to previous catches in this lake. Pike sizes averaged 23 in in the gillnets, which is larger than normal for this lake class. The largest pike in 1996 was 31 in (6.8 lb). Pike reproduction was consistent from year to year. Pike growth (20 in at age three) was normal.Yellow perch numbers in 1996, as in 1983 and 1988, were higher than normal for this lake class. Perch sizes averaged 6 in; the largest was 10 in. Many of the perch in 1996 were age three. Growth of young perch (5 in at age three) was average, but growth of older perch (6 in at age six) was slow.Black crappie numbers in 1996, as in 1983 and 1986, were higher than normal for this lake class. Many large crappie were present; the largest was 14 in (1.5 lb). Most crappie were age two, and few crappie were produced during the cold summers of 1992 and 1993. Growth of young crappie (3.7 in at age two) was normal, but growth of older crappie (10 in at age six) was fast.

Yellow perch and black crappie are present in above average numbers; northern pike are present in average numbers. Golden shiner and pumpkinseed sunfish are also present. Some large northern pike and black crappie are present.

Northern pike, perch, and crappie are present in above average numbers; pumpkinseeds are present in average numbers; and golden shiner and bluegill are present.

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

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

Sunset has a maximum depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sunset is from 1996. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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