Side

Side Lake is a moderately-sized (372 acre) lake located on the Sturgeon Chain of Lakes near Side Lake, Minnesota. Side Lake has relatively clear water, modest fertility and low alkalinity. These characteristics result in good water quality but limit fish production. The lake includes shoreline within McCarthy Beach State Park. While the shoreline is in a natural state within the State Park, most of the remaining shoreline is heavily developed. There is a concrete ramp public access located in the State Park. Side Lake has a long management history that includes multiple surveys and stockings. The fisheries lake management plan (LMP) was last revised in 2017. The lake is well-suited for Northern Pike and Bluegill, and these are considered the primary management species. Walleye are a secondary management species. A targeted survey using only gill nets was conducted in early July of 2023 to evaluate the 2016, 2019 and 2021 Walleye fingerling stocking. The surveys also collected updated information on other management species. This survey utilized nine gill nets set at standard locations around the lake. An additional component of the survey used night electrofishing in mid-June to target Largemouth Bass. Side Lake has typically produced a low-density Walleye population resulting from limited natural reproduction and stocking. The 2023 catch rate remained low despite recent fingerling stocking and was below the LMP goal. Given the limitations of water quality and fish community structure, it appears unlikely that stocking efforts will result in a sustainable increase in Walleye numbers. Side Lake typically produces Walleye of good size quality. In 2023, sampled Walleye ranged from 19.5 to 27.4 inches. The lack of smaller fish suggests poor juvenile survival in recent years. The five Walleye sampled represented five different year classes and ranged in age from 4 to 16. Lakes with similar habitats do not generally produce large numbers of Yellow Perch and perch catches from Side Lake have been low. No perch were sampled in 2023. Perch are an important prey species and are often associated with high quality pike and Walleye fisheries. A lack of Yellow Perch further suggests that Side Lake is not a good candidate for Walleye management. Side Lake has a history of supporting Tullibee (Cisco) and they were the most common fish captured in the gill nets in 2023. The 2023 catch was typical for lakes with similar habitat and average for Side Lake. Captured Tullibee ranged from 8.3 to 17.4 inches and averaged 14.1 inches. Fall sport netting of Tullibee is allowed on Side Lake. Aside from providing an opportunity for sport netters, Tullibee are beneficial as a prey species and are associated with the production of large predators like Northern Pike. Northern Pike have been abundant in Side Lake but were captured in moderate numbers in 2023. The catch was typical for lakes with similar habitats but below average for Side Lake. Average size and growth are typically poor when pike occur in high numbers, so lower numbers are desirable. Size quality was good as pike ranged from 17.8 to 36.6 inches and averaged 22.4 inches. Good pike fishing opportunities appear to exist. Largemouth Bass appear to be an important component of the fish community and were sampled with night electrofishing in moderate numbers. This was the first time that spring night electrofishing has been conducted on Side Lake. Size structure was moderate as sampled bass ranged from 5.5 to 17.4 inches and averaged 11.8 inches. Ages 2 through 12 were represented in the sample. Growth was average with bass exceeding 12 inches after 5 years of growth. Side Lake appears to offer good bass angling opportunities given the numbers and size distribution. Other species sampled in the survey included Black Crappie, Bluegill, Silver Redhorse and White Sucker.

Side Lake is a moderately-sized lake located on the Sturgeon Chain of Lakes, near Side Lake, Minnesota. Side Lake has relatively clear water, moderate fertility, and low alkalinity. These characteristics result in good water quality but limit fish production. The lake includes shoreline within McCarthy Beach State Park. Although the shoreline is in a natural state within the State Park, most of the remaining shoreline is heavily developed. There is a public access located in the State Park. Side Lake has a long management history that includes multiple surveys and stockings. The fisheries lake management plan (LMP) was last revised in 2010. Walleye were considered the primary management species due to angler interest. The lake is well suited for Northern Pike and Bluegill, and these were considered secondary management species. The goals of the LMP were to maintain a Walleye gill net catch greater than 3 per net and maintain the Northern Pike gill net catch rate below 5.5 per net. A survey was conducted in late June of 2016 to assess the status of the fish community and provide data to revise the LMP. This survey consisted of 9 gill nets and 9 trap nets set at various locations around the lake. Side Lake has a long history of supporting Tullibee (cisco) and Tullibee were the most common fish captured in the gill nets in 2016. The 2016 catch was typical for lakes with similar habitats and average for Side Lake. Captured Tullibee ranged from 6.9 to 17.9 inches and averaged 12.9 inches. Fall sport netting of Tullibee is allowed on Side Lake. Aside from providing an opportunity for sport netters, Tullibee are beneficial to gamefish populations by providing an important prey species and are often associated with production of large Northern Pike. Northern Pike have been abundant in Side Lake and remained so in 2016. The 2016 catch was higher than expected compared to lakes with similar habitats, but typical for Side Lake. Average size and growth are typically poor when Northern Pike occur in high numbers, and this appears to be the case in Side Lake, as pike averaged 19.5 inches and few pike exceeded 28 inches. Despite poor average size, Side Lake has potential to produce some large pike, and a 37 inch fish was sampled in 2016. Eight year classes were present, indicating regular natural reproduction. Past surveys described slow growth, and growth remained poor in 2016, as pike averaged only 21.1 inches by age 6. Few fish exceeded age 6, suggesting high adult mortality, a typical trait for lakes with high pike densities. It is likely that harvest has impacted the size quality in Side Lake. Anglers are encouraged to release pike exceeding 22 inches to improve size quality. Side Lake has typically produced a small Walleye population resulting from limited natural reproduction and stocking. Walleye fingerling stocking was increased substantially in 2005, and continued through 2015, to see if Walleye abundance could be increased. A 2009 assessment resulted in the second highest catch recorded for the lake. Any improvements to population size were not sustainable, however, as the 2016 catch was the lowest on record. This catch was low compared to lakes with similar numbers and below the 2010 LMP goal of 3 per gill net. Given the limitations of water chemistry and fish community structure, it does not appear that increased stocking efforts can result in a sustainable increase in walleye numbers. Side Lake typically produces quality-sized Walleye. In 2016, sampled Walleye ranged from 7.7 to 26.8 inches and averaged 17 inches. Five year classes were present. Growth was near the statewide average as fish averaged 14.9 inches by age 4 and similar to past samples. Lakes with similar habitats do not typically produce large numbers of Yellow Perch and perch catches from Side Lake have been low. The 2016 catch was the lowest recorded. Perch are an important prey species and are often associated with quality pike and Walleye fisheries. Increased Walleye stocking and high Northern Pike numbers may have contributed to the poor catch of Yellow Perch. Low perch numbers further suggest that Walleye are not well suited for Side Lake. Bluegills were the most common fish captured in trap nets in 2016. The 2016 catch was typical for lakes with similar habitats and for Side Lake. Lakes with similar habitats typically produce slow growing Bluegills and populations are often characterized by moderate to high numbers of small fish. Past samples on Side Lake have indicated variable size structure with the potential for quality fish. Size structure in 2016 was moderate, as Bluegill ranged from 3.1 to 8.4 inches and averaged 6.2 inches. Eighteen percent of the sampled Bluegill exceeded 8 inches. Growth rates appeared to have slowed over time. An early assessment in the 1950s described a quality population with low numbers, but fast growth. Recent assessments resulted in higher numbers and slow growth. Growth remained slow in 2016, with fish averaging 5.3 inches by age 6. Reproduction appeared to be consistent and adult mortality appeared low, as fish up to age-11 were present. Side Lake can produce quality Bluegill (over 8 inches), but adult mortality must be low to compensate for slow growth. Sampled fish that exceeded 7 inches were generally 9 to 11 years old. Anglers are encouraged to voluntarily limit their harvest of quality sunfish to help maintain size quality. Catch rates for Black Crappie have been highly variable but have generally been low. The 2016 catch for both gill net and trap net samples were similar to past samples. Black crappie populations often exhibit irregular recruitment resulting in periodically strong year classes, shifting age and size structures, and inconsistent angler success. Although few crappies were captured in 2016, size appeared favorable as fish up to 11.8 inches were present. Five year classes were identified. Growth was near the statewide average as fish averaged 8.8 inches by age 5. Other species captured included Brown Bullhead, Golden Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, and White Sucker. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help stop the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers, and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

Side Lake is a 375-acre lake located near Side Lake, MN. The lake is moderately deep with a maximum depth of 32 ft and a littoral area of 153 acres. Side Lake is in Lake Class 5 and has a public access on the southwest shore within McCarthy Beach State Park. Area lakes also in lake class five include Little Sturgeon, Perch, and Leander. Side Lake is connected to the Sturgeon River through a short channel on the south shore and is navigable by boat upstream to Little Sturgeon Lake. Water levels are controlled by a lowhead dam downstream where CR 5 crosses the Sturgeon River. The lake is heavily developed except for the State Park owned property and is one of the busiest lakes for recreation in the area. Anglers primarily target walleye, black crappie, and occasionally northern pike. Walleye gill-net catch was 2.6/net and was toward the low end of the expected range for similar lakes. Gill net catch rates have historically been low and varied from 1.7 to 4.0/net. Side Lake is known to produce large walleye and size structure was excellent with fish up to 29 inches sampled. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 19.5 inches by age 6. Walleye fingerlings, yearlings, or adults have been stocked in six out of the last eight years making stocking evaluation difficult. Walleye ages were assigned to most year classes including both stocked and nonstocked years. Black crappie historic catch rates have been low, varying from 0.1 to 0.6/gill net and from 0 to 0.9/trap net. The 2009 catch rates were the highest reported with a catch rate of 1.7/gill net and was slightly higher than the average catch rate for similar lakes. The trap net catch rate was low at 0.4/net and was lower than the expected range. Size structure in gill nets was poor with only one fish exceeding 9 inches. The northern pike gill net catch was high for this lake class at 9.8/gill net and was higher than the expected range. Catch rates in past assessments have varied from 5.2 to 16.5/gill net for assessments setting more than three nets. Size structure was moderate with fish up to 30 inches sampled, however, no fish greater than 34 inches were sampled. Yellow perch gill net catch was low at 2.6/net, but was within the expected range for similar lakes. Historical catch rates have also been low and varied from 0.7 to 7.2/gill net. Size structure was generally poor with no fish exceeding 7 inches. Bluegill trap net catch was higher than expected with a catch rate of 56.0/trap net and was higher than the expected range. Trap net catch rates have historically been much lower varying from 5.3 to 17.8/net. Size structure was poor with only one fish exceeding 8 inches. Growth was slower than the lake class average and fish only reached 6.2 inches by age 7. Tullibee catch rate was 4.6/gill net and was within the expected range. Tullibee catch rates have historically been variable with catch rates varying from 1.5 to 22.7/gill net. Other fish sampled include, rock bass, shorthead and silver redhorse, white sucker, and pumpkinseed sunfish. Lakeshore owners may affect fish populations not only through harvesting fish, but also through land use practices. It is important to leave a 30 to 50 ft buffer strip of native vegetation along the shoreline to prevent erosion and provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Nonfunctioning septic systems can also lead to water quality problems. Good water quality and fish populations are the direct result of good land use practices. Anglers can also help to improve the size structure of the fish community by releasing larger fish.

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

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

Side has a maximum depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Side is from 2023.

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