Little Sturgeon

Little Sturgeon Lake is located approximately 14 miles northwest of Chisholm, MN and within the Little Fork River Watershed. The 247-acre lake has 54 littoral acres with a 22 foot maximum depth, and is moderately developed along the 3.6 mile shoreline. A public access is located on the north side of the Sturgeon River between Little Sturgeon and Side Lake with parking for five rigs. Little Sturgeon Lake is part of the larger Sturgeon Lake chain and outlets through the Sturgeon River. There are inlets from both Sturgeon and South Sturgeon Lakes. Little Sturgeon Lake has low fertility and very soft water, both of which limit fish production. The 2017 Lake Management Plan (LMP) lists Black Crappie and Bluegill as primary species for management and Walleye as a secondary species. The LMP goals were to: maintain a Black Crappie trap net or gill net catch near 2.0/net; maintain a Bluegill trap net catch near 8.0/net and increase the Walleye gill net catch to 2.0/net. A targeted survey was conducted in June of 2023 primarily to evaluate Walleye management using gill nets. Little Sturgeon Lake has a small Walleye population maintained by natural reproduction and/or immigration. The 2023 survey evaluated a period where Walleye were stocked 11 times from 2003 through 2021. Walleye were captured at a rate of 0.8/gill net. The catch was the lowest since 1990 and below what would be expected for lakes with similar habitats. Catch rates have been below the management goal of 2.0/gill net in six of seven surveys conducted since 1984. The five sampled fish ranged from 18.4 to 24.2 inches and averaged 3.0 pounds. Sample sizes were too low to evaluate growth but five age-classes ranging from 6 to 15 years old were identified. No fish corresponding to the 2021 and 2019 stockings were sampled and only one from the 2017 stocking. It appears stocking has not made a noticeable improvement to the fishery as the catches have remained very low. The Black Crappie catch of 2.7/gill net exceeded the management goals of 2.4/net. Black Crappie gill and trap net catches have been variable in previous surveys, but typical of lakes with similar habitats. Size structure in 2023 was poor: only three fish longer than 8 inches were sampled and none over 10 inches. Slow growth and harvest may hinder size structure as only one Black Crappie over 12.0 inches has ever been sampled. Bluegill are a management species but were not targeted in this survey. Generally, Bluegill trap net catch rates have been within the typical range for lakes with similar habitat. Management goals for numbers and size were met in the previous survey and appears to have improved over time. Northern Pike catches have been relatively stable, ranging from 5.2 to 7.3/gill net since 1984. The 2023 catch of 5.8/gill net was near the upper limit of what would be typical of lakes with similar habitats. Size structure in 2023 was modest with one fish over 30 inches sampled, an average size of nearly 22 inches and 28 percent in the 22 - 26 inch range. Little Sturgeon has shown some potential to produce larger pike as fish over 28 inches have been sampled in five of seven surveys. Anglers are encouraged to release larger pike to improve size quality. Age and growth information was not collected in 2023 because the survey was directed at Walleye management. The Yellow Perch numbers declined to an all-time low in survey history, 1.7/net. The last three surveys documented a declining trend in perch catches following the record high in 2002. Yellow Perch are an important component of many fisheries, primarily as a prey but often as a sportfish as well. Few Yellow Perch would be of a desirable size to anglers. The sampled fish ranged from 5.8 to 10.0 inches and averaged 7.0 inches. The decline may be influencing the growth and survival of game species such as Walleye and Northern Pike. Tullibee are an important prey species for larger predators like Northern Pike and Walleye. In the last five surveys, the catch has declined from a high of 4.3/gill net to the low of 0.3/gill net in 2023. The two sampled fish were 10.3 and 12.2 inches long. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help slow the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live/bait wells drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are also encouraged to power-wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

Little Sturgeon Lake is located approximately 14 miles northwest of Chisholm, MN and within the Little Fork River Watershed. The 247 acre lake has 54 littoral acres with a 22 foot maximum depth, and is moderately developed along the 3.6 mile shoreline. A public access is located on the north side of the Sturgeon River between Little Sturgeon and Side Lake with parking for five rigs. Little Sturgeon Lake is part of the larger Sturgeon Lake chain and outlets through the Sturgeon River to Side Lake. There are inlets from both Sturgeon and South Sturgeon Lakes. Little Sturgeon Lake has low fertility and very soft water, both of which limit fish production. The 2010 Lake Management Plan (LMP) lists Black Crappie, Northern Pike and Walleye as primary species for management and Bluegill as a secondary species. The LMP goals were to: maintain a Black Crappie trap net or gill net catch near 2.0/net; maintain a Northern Pike gill net catch near 5.0/net; maintain a Walleye gill net catch of 2.0/net and to maintain a Bluegill trap net catch near 12.0/net. A standard survey was conducted in June of 2016 to assess the status and characteristics of the fish community using six gill nets and nine trap nets. Little Sturgeon Lake has a small Walleye population maintained by natural reproduction and/or immigration. Walleye fingerlings were stocked annually from 2005 - 2010 and in 2014 at a rate of 1 lb./littoral acre (54 lbs.) but did not appear to contribute to the fishery, as most captured walleye have been associated with non-stocked year classes. Walleye were captured at a rate of 1.0/gill net, which is below what would be expected for lakes with similar habitats. Gill net catch rates have been below the management goal of 2.0/gill net in five of six surveys conducted since 1984. A total of six Walleye were captured in gill nets ranging in length from 13.6 to 18.2 inches with an average weight of 2.2 pounds. Walleye growth was below the statewide average with an average length of 14.1 inches at age-4. Three year classes were represented in the sample, but only one fish corresponded to a year when the lake was stocked. The Northern Pike catch rate decreased from 7.3/gill net in 2009 to 4.3/gill net, which met the management goal. Little Sturgeon Lake has a history of relatively high pike abundance as gill net catches have been near the upper limit of what would be typical of lakes with similar habitats. Northern Pike captured in gill nets ranged in length from 16.2 - 34.0 inches with an average length of 20.4 inches. Size structure in 2016 was poor as only one fish captured was greater than 28 inches in length. However, Little Sturgeon Lake has the potential to produce larger Northern Pike as fish over 28 inches have been sampled in four of six surveys. Anglers are encouraged to release Northern Pike greater than 22 inches to improve size quality. Analysis of ageing structures identified four consecutive age classes, ages 3 - 6. Northern Pike attained an average length of 18.8 inches at age-4, similar to that found in previous surveys. The Black Crappie catch rates of 2.3/trap net and 2.7/gill net both exceeded the management goals of 2.0/net. Black Crappie gill and trap net catch rates have been variable in previous surveys, but typical of lakes with similar habitats in five of six surveys. Size structure in 2016 was moderate as 17% of the Black Crappie measured were greater than 10 inches in length. Growth appeared slower than both the 2009 survey and the statewide average, with an average length of 8.1 inches at age-5. Six consecutive age classes (ages 2-7) were represented in the sample. However, slow growth and harvest may be impacting size structure as only one Black Crappie over 12.0 inches has been sampled in six surveys. Bluegill were captured at a rate of 7.8/trap net. Bluegill trap net catch rates have been within the typical range for lakes with similar habitat in all surveys. Bluegill size structure appears to have improved considerably as 26% of the Bluegill measured were greater than 8 inches in length, compared to 6% in 2009. Management goals for both abundance and size structure were met. Seven consecutive age classes were represented in the sample, ages 3-9. Bluegill growth was slow with an average length of 5.6 inches at age-6. The Yellow Perch catch rate of 4.7/gill net was similar to 4.5/gill net in 2009 and within the typical range for lakes with similar habitats. The 2009 and 2016 gill net catch rates were the lowest observed in six surveys. All Yellow Perch sampled were less than eight inches, and few over eight inches have been sampled in previous surveys. The Tullibee catch rate of 1.0/gill net was the lowest observed in any survey. However, Tullibee have not been abundant historically as gill net catches in previous surveys have ranged from 1.4 - 4.3/net. Other species sampled included: Golden Redhorse, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse and White Sucker.

Little Sturgeon Lake is located about 14 miles northwest of Chisholm, MN and within the Little Fork River Watershed. The 247 acre lake has 54 littoral acres with a 22 foot max depth, and is relatively developed along the 3.6 mile shoreline. The public access is on the north side of the Sturgeon River between Little Sturgeon and Side Lake with parking for five rigs. Little Sturgeon is part of the larger Sturgeon Lake chain with an outlet to the Sturgeon River and Side Lake and inlets from Sturgeon and South Sturgeon Lakes. Northern pike were the most abundant fish sampled in gill nets, at a rate slightly higher than the previous assessment. The catch rate exceeded the expected range for lakes similar to Little Sturgeon. Size structure appeared moderate with 34% of the fish sampled were 24 inches or greater, however there was none sampled over 30 inches. Lengths ranged from 15.8-30.1 inches with an average length of 22 inches. Scale analysis indicated that six ages were sampled with fish up to age-7 in the sample. Growth was near the statewide average for all ages. Northern pike averaged 22 inches by age 4. Bluegill were sampled in trap nets within the lake class expected range, however the rate was less than the previous assessment. The catch rate was slightly higher in the gill net sample than the previous assessment. Size structure appeared moderate with fish sampled up to nine inches, however only 6% of the sample was eight inches or greater. Trap net lengths ranged from 3.3-9 inches with an average length of 6.0 inches. Within the trap net sample, seven age classes were identified through scale analysis with fish up to age-11 present. Back calculated length-at-age indicated growth was similar to the lake class 5 averages except ages 3-5, which were slightly less. Bluegill averaged almost six inches by age-6. Black crappie were the second most abundant fish sampled in gill nets, exceeding the expected range, while the trap net catch rate was near the low end of the expected range. The previous gill net catch rate was within the expected range, while the trap net catch rate was less than expected. Size structure was moderate for gill net sampled fish with an average length of almost seven inches and 6% of the sample exceeding ten inches. Lengths ranged from 4.4-11.1 inches in the gill net sample, however one 13 inch fish was sampled in a trap net. Eight age classes were identified through scale analysis with fish up to age-9 present in the sample. Growth was slow early, but similar to the statewide average by age-3. Black crappie averaged over nine inches by age-6. The walleye catch rate was 2.2/gill net, at the low end of the expected range. This was the highest observed catch rate; previous assessment catch rates were lower than the expected range. Size structure appeared moderate with lengths ranging from 12.6-24.6 inches with an average length of 18 inches. Scale analysis indicated four age classes present in the sample with fish up to age-7 present. Age 4 fish were well represented in the sample, comprising 61% of the catch. Growth was similar to the statewide average for all ages. Walleye averaged 17 inches by age 4. Gill net sampled yellow perch were at a rate near the middle of the expected range, yet lower than the previous assessment which was the highest observed rate. Size was moderately poor with an average length of 6.5 inches, ranging from 5.4-8.5 inches. The tullibee catch was slightly less than the previous assessment, yet still within the expected range. Lengths ranged from 8.3-15.1 inches with an average length of 10.2 inches. Other species sampled include golden redhorse, hybrid, sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, golden shiner, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, and white sucker.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Walleye, and Pumpkinseed in Little Sturgeon. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Sturgeon has a maximum depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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