Sauk

Sauk (Big Sauk) Lake (DOW# 77-0150-00; Lake Class 25) is a 2,126-acre lake that extends north of the Sauk Centre Dam. The lake has a maximum depth of 61 feet, an average depth of 17 feet, and water visibility around 6 feet. Sauk Lake has a variety of submerged, emergent, and floating-leaf vegetation around its perimeter. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Bluegill, and secondarily for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie. Walleye fry are stocked to maintain the population within or above management goals. A targeted electrofishing survey for young-of-year Walleye was completed on September 9, 2025. Fall electrofishing surveys are used to evaluate fry stocking success or natural reproduction. A total of 1.4 million fry were stocked in the spring of 2025. Fall night electrofishing has been conducted annually on Sauk Lake since 2009 to assess the relative abundance of young-of-year Walleye. This sampling is used to evaluate fry stocking success or natural reproduction during years without stocking. Over the years, electrofishing surveys have been useful predictors of future gill net catches. The catch rate young-of-year Walleye during 2025 was 7.0 fish/hour, which is the lowest on record for Sauk Lake. Catch rates prior to 2025 have ranged from 10.9 fish/hour (2010) to 127.5 fish/hour (2011. Young-of-year Walleye captured during 2025 ranged in size from 5.1-6.3 inches (average = 5.7 inches). This was slightly smaller than the average length (6.6 inches) from all previous surveys. Age analysis has shown that fish reach 13.6 inches by age-2, 16.7 inches by age-3, 17.7 inches by age-4, and 20.3 inches by age-5. Natural reproduction has been documented during fall electrofishing surveys and from aging fish captured in gill nets. Prior to 2000, there was little to no evidence of natural reproduction in Sauk Lake. Notable natural year classes were eventually documented in 2000 and 2007 during summer surveys. More recently, year classes of natural fish have been reported for 2020 and 2023. Therefore, it is important to consider that fall electrofishing catches may be comprised of both stocked and natural fish during stocking years. Several other species were observed during the 2025 fall electrofishing survey. Yellow Perch and Bluegill were notably abundant throughout the sites. Shiners and minnows were also abundant. White Sucker and Shorthead Redhorse were present in low abundance. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike were all observed.

Big Sauk Lake (DOW# 77-0150; Lake Class 25) is a 2,126-acre lake located near Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Big Sauk Lake has 22.33 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 61 feet. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and secondarily for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie. Fall night electrofishing was conducted on Big Sauk Lake to evaluate success of annual Walleye fry stocking and natural reproduction. In 2024, fall electrofishing was used to evaluate a spring Walleye stocking of 1.4 million fry. The young of year Walleye catch rate was 22.74/hr. which was lower than most past efforts. Due to the documentation of significant naturally produced (not stocked) year classes of Walleye in 2020 and 2023, occasional years with no stocking will occur to continue monitoring the contribution of natural year classes. At this point we aren't certain the origin of each fish, especially during years when we stock. If natural reproduction continues to show positive results, fry stocking could potentially be reduced. Roughly 23 of the 41 older fish captured in this year's fall electrofishing assessment were naturally produced yearlings as there were no Walleye stocked in 2023. The 2023 year class is fairly strong and should contribute significantly to fishing success. Historically, fall electrofishing catch rates of young of year Walleye have corresponded well with later summer gill net catches. In other words, high catches typically signify very good year classes, which should translate into excellent future angling opportunities. Analysis has shown that electrofishing catch rates of higher than 40 fish/hr often correlated with good to strong year classes in subsequent gill netting while catch rates below 40/hour rarely produced large year classes. The 2024 catch rate of 22.7 per hour likely predicts a lower than average year class was produced.

A standard survey using 15 gill nets and 16 trap nets as well as spring and fall electrofishing was completed on Big Sauk Lake during the months of May, August, and September 2023. Survey netting and electrofishing techniques are standardized and replicated for each survey. All sampling stations are completed in the same locations during the same time of year from survey to survey in order to minimize variability and allow reasonable data comparisons. In summary, Walleye and Northern Pike abundance estimates are similar to what they were in 2019 and Yellow Perch abundance may have decreased slightly. Data from electrofishing indicate that bass abundance is variable, but size structure is good and has remained similar since 2019. Vegetation growth especially around the lake's perimeter was noted throughout the survey and young-of-year sunfish and crappies were found in these areas. The apparent increase in plant density represents a change from the past, especially the mid-2000s. Whether this portends expansions in panfish, bass, and pike populations remains to be seen. Big Sauk Lake supports a productive Walleye fishery. Catch rates (relative abundance) continue to be some of the highest in the Little Falls Management Area. Several age classes are typically represented in gill net samples, but age-2 (13-14 inches) are typically most common for Sauk Lake. Anglers may have noticed a high number of smaller Walleyes (less than 15 inches) this past season and our gill netting bears this out as close to 60% of the sample measured between 10 and 15 inches. Recruitment to larger sizes can be reasonably expected for 2024 and 2025 so angler satisfaction should improve. Walleye fry have been stocked annually since 2009 with the exception of 2020 (pandemic) and 2023 which was intentional in order to measure natural reproduction. Both stocked and non-stocked years result in good catches of juvenile Walleye which is important to remember because there are very few lakes in the Little Falls Area that support natural reproduction of Walleyes to a level that can sustain a fishery. Walleye growth rates are regularly analyzed on Sauk Lake, and they are consistently described as excellent, with age-2, 3, 4 and 5 year-old fish equal to 13.6, 16.7, 17.7 and 20.3 inches, respectively. Northern Pike abundance is low in Sauk Lake which is generally regarded as beneficial in central Minnesota lakes managed for Walleye. With the exception of an occasional fish over 30 inches, size structure of the pike population is below expectations despite an abundant and diverse prey base. Mean pike length in 2023 was 20.2 inches and the largest individual captured was only 29.4 inches. Age and growth were not measured in 2023 so the smaller size structure observed may be due to a younger age class of fish dominating the sample. However, large pike have been historically uncommon in Sauk Lake and past surveys bear this out. Various reports in the past documented a major reduction in vegetation throughout the reservoir beginning in 2007. Recent increases in near-shore vegetation may result in the expansion of Northern Pike. Yellow Perch numbers have been rising steadily since 2007. At this time, the abundance of perch in Sauk Lake is considerably above average when compared to other lakes similar in character. The majority of fish measure between 5 and 9 inches so while there isn't much of a fishery, the forage they provide to predator fish is ample and appears to be staying that way. Cisco, while not common in Big Sauk, are still sustaining their own as one was captured in this survey. Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass (black bass) are both present in Sauk Lake. Largemouth are more abundant but both species show good representation of several size classes in our electrofishing catches. Maximum lengths found for Largemouth Bass are occasionally around 20 inches while similar-sized smallmouths have also been sampled. As mentioned in this report, the apparent expansion in aquatic vegetation may lead to future expansions in black bass abundance. Crappie remain abundant in Big Sauk. Length frequency data for crappie are similar to 2019, mean length of crappies was 9 inches and maximum length was 12.4 inches. Though still relatively low in number Bluegill size structure is excellent. Mean length was 7.2 inches and maximum length was 10.1 inches. A good proportion of Bluegills exceed 9 inches. The apparent increase of aquatic vegetation noted this year could provide habitat that otherwise has been much less available since the mid-2000s. Young-of-year sunfish were commonly observed during electrofishing and may indicate better year classes are forthcoming.

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

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

Sauk has a maximum depth of 61 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Sauk has confirmed flowering rush and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.