Great Northern

The Sauk River Chain of Lakes (SRCL) is located in south-central Stearns County near the city of Cold Spring. A dam on the Sauk River built in the early 1900s created the SRCL and provides access to over 3,200 acres of connected water, including Bolfing, Great Northern, Knaus, Krays, Schneider, Zumwalde, Cedar Island, and Horseshoe Lakes. Prior to 2001, the Walleye fishery was supported through fingerling stockings during odd-numbered years. In 2001, the stocking strategy switched from fingerling to fry stocking during odd-numbered years and was often supplemented by natural reproduction and fry stocking conducted by the lake association. Fall electrofishing for young-of-year (YOY) Walleye was initiated in the East Lakes (Bolfing, Great Northern, Knaus, Krays, Schneider, and Zumwalde) in 2015 to monitor the distribution and abundance of YOY Walleye and naturally reproduced fish migrating downstream from Horseshoe and Cedar Island Lakes. Fall electrofishing results indicated strong natural reproduction, leading to the discontinuation of Walleye stocking in 2018. A targeted electrofishing survey was conducted on October 15, 2025, to assess YOY Walleye abundance within the East Lakes complex, represented by Great Northern Lake. During this survey, 17 Walleye were captured, all of which were age-1+ fish. The catch rate was15.8 fish/hour (on-time). Walleye ranged in length from 11.7 to 27.9 inches and averaged 16.6 inches in total length. No YOY Walleye were captured in the 2025 survey. Since the discontinuance of fry stocking in 2018, YOY Walleye catch rates across the East Lakes have ranged from 0 to 162/hr, with a long-term average of 56.7/hr. Annual fall YOY electrofishing will continue, and if YOY catch rates across the SRCL remain below 25/hr for three consecutive years, fry stocking will take place the following spring as per the Lake Management Plan.

The Sauk River Chain of Lakes (SRCL) is located in south-central Stearns County, near the city of Richmond. A dam on the Sauk River in Cold Spring built in the early 1900's created the SRCL and access to over 3,200 acres of water within the chain. Prior to 2001, the Walleye fishery was supported through fingerling stocking during odd-numbered years. In 2001, the stocking strategy switched from fingerling to fry stocking during odd numbered years and was often supplemented by natural reproduction and fry stocking by the lake association. Fall electrofishing for young of year (YOY) Walleye was initiated in the East Lakes (Bolfing, Great Northern, Knaus, Krays, Schnieder, and Zumwalde) in 2015 to document that the fry stocked in Horseshoe and Cedar Island lakes also moved into the East Lakes. Results from fall YOY electrofishing surveys indicated that natural reproduction was strong, and Walleye stocking was discontinued in 2018. A targeted survey was conducted in 2024 using boat electrofishing to update data on YOY abundance of Walleye within the East Lakes. Fall electrofishing for YOY Walleye was conducted on October 9, 2024. Since the discontinuance of fry stocking in 2018, fall YOY Walleye catch rates have ranged from 6.4 to 162/hr with a long-term average of 75.6/hr. No YOY Walleye were collected during the 2024 survey; however, 37 age 1+ Walleyes were sampled. These Walleye ranged in length from 8.3 - 23 inches and averaged 15.2 inches.

The Sauk River Chain of Lakes (SRCL) is located in south-central Stearns County, near the city of Richmond. A dam built in the early 1900's on the Sauk River in Cold Spring created the SRCL a reservoir consisting of nine lakes and approximately 3,200 acres of water. The Sauk River drains a large portion of central Minnesota before flowing through the SRCL and ultimately influences water quality trends within the SRCL. Although non-point source pollution continues to be a concern, some major contributors of nutrient loading, such as municipal wastewater discharge, were greatly reduced in the 1980's and 1990's. Efforts continue to be made to address the existing non-point pollution sources and improve the water quality within SRCL. Zebra mussels were found within the SRCL in 2018, and Eurasian watermilfoil was found in Horseshoe Lake in 2021. Anglers are encouraged to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) by cleaning, draining, and drying all equipment used in infested waters. The SRCL is managed for Walleye, Muskellunge, and Channel Catfish and a targeted survey was conducted in 2024 using boat electrofishing and gillnets to update data on popular game species last collected in 2021. To provide a larger sample size, all lakes east of County Rd 71 (Zumwalde, Schneider, Great Northern, Krays, Knaus, and Bolfing; SRCL East Lakes) were combined for the analysis and will be referred to as the East Lakes in this report. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass were surveyed during the daytime using boat electrofishing from May 13 to May 17, 2024. The Largemouth Bass catch increased (29/hr) while Smallmouth Bass catch decreased (2/hr) compared to the results from the 2018 survey (20/hr and 7/hr). The catch results from 2024 were below the management goal for daytime electrofishing (50/hr) and the lowest on record for Smallmouth Bass. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from three to 19 inches with an average length of 9.2, while Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 12 to 19 inches with an average length of 17 inches. Despite the poor sampling numbers, the SRCL remains a popular bass fishing destination. Walleye is one of the primary management species within the SRCL. The catch of Walleye in the East Lakes in 2024 (2.5/net) was lower than 2018 (4.2/net), but similar to the long-term average for the East Lakes (2.4/net) and within the ranged of expected values for similar lakes. Walleye ranged in length from nine to 22 inches, with an average length and weight of 16 inches and 1.6 pounds. Anglers can expect decent fishing for eater sized walleye as 65% were longer than 15 inches while only 4% were longer than 20 inches. Walleye growth within the SRCL is average with both males and females reaching 15 inches by age three. Walleye stocking was discontinued on the SRCL after 2017 because natural reproduction was documented by area staff within the SRCL during unstocked years and the abundance of young walleye sampled during fall electrofishing were at or above those levels observed during stocked years. Northern Pike abundance increased from 3.9/net (2021) to 11.0/net in 2024 and was above the range of expected values for the lakes. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 13 to 31 inches, with an average length and weight of 21.2 inches and 2.2 pounds. Fourteen percent of the Northern Pike sampled were longer than 26 inches, indicating that a lot of "hammer handle" pike are present within East Lakes. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small pike (less than 22.0 inches) to help increase the size structure of the population. Channel Catfish have historically been abundant within the SRCL and abundance in the East Lakes peaked in 2013 at 26.5/net and has been declining since. The catch in 2024 (6.1/net) was the lowest since 1990 (1.8/net). While catfish abundance has decreased the average size has increased. Catfish sampled ranged in length from 17 to 28 inches, with an average length and weight of 21.6 inches and 3.8 pounds. Anglers will find many Channel Catfish between 17 and 25 inches as 100% of the catfish sampled were longer than 17 inches and 21% were longer than 24 inches during the survey. Black Crappie gillnet abundance was very high between 1980 and 1995 ranging from 22 - 56/net. Since that time, catch rates have declined and become more realistic ranging from 2.3 - 12/net. The catch in 2024 (2.3/net) was lower than 2021 (5.3/net) but still within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Black Crappie ranged in length from five to 12 inches with an average length of 8.1 inches. Fifty-five percent of the crappie caught were longer than eight inches with 35% being longer than 10 inches. Anglers may have to search, but quality size crappies can be found in the East Lakes. Yellow Perch catches have been low the past four surveys in the East Lakes of the SRCL, but in 2024 Yellow Perch numbers rebounded significantly with a catch rate of 30.4/net which was the highest catch rate on record. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from five to nine inches and averaged six inches. Other species sampled in low numbers included: Black Bullhead, Black Redhorse, Bluegill, Common Carp, Greater Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Great Northern has a maximum depth of 16.2 feet and a mean depth of 6.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Great Northern is from 2024.

Yes — Great Northern has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.