Sunset

Sunset Lake offers shore and boat angling for a variety of species. Shore angling is available from the city property on the north end and off of Co. Rd. 10 on the south end. Boat access is available in the city property, but the access is in poor condition with no legal parking. Bluegill is the most abundant species. Bluegills up to 8.5 inches were sampled, but most are less than 6 inches, with an average of 4.5 inches. Black crappie are moderately abundant. There were two size groups of black crappie - 3 to 4.5 inches and 5.5 to 8 inches, with some up to 9 inches. Northern pike are abundant, with lengths ranging from 14 to 27 inches and a 19.5 inch average. Largemouth bass also appear to be abundant, but were not adequately sampled with the gears used during this survey. Walleye were sampled in low to moderate numbers as the result of a private stocking in 1993. Lengths ranged from 17 to 21 inches. Moderate numbers of pumkinseed and hybrid sunfish were sampled - both species had average lengths of about 5.5 inches. Yellow perch were sampled in low numbers with an average length of 7.5 inches. Neascus (black spot) was prevalent in bluegill, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Panfish were the most abundant fish present. Bluegill were high in number with a tenth of acceptable size to anglers. Black crappie were common with many near 9 inches in length. Pumpkinseed, hybrid, and green sunfish were present with few fish over 6 inches.Black bullhead were sampled in low numbers with many over 10 inches. Three brown bullhead were sampled.Largemouth bass were captured in good numbers with sizes up to 20 inches. No electrofishing was done to assess the population. Northern pike were present in average numbers with over a third 25 inches long or better. Five walleye were sampled, from the 1993 stocking.

GOLDEN SHINER, BLACK BULLHEAD, BROWN BULLHEAD, LARGEMOUTH BASS, PUMPKINSEED, BLUEGILL, BLACK CRAPPIE AND HYBRID SUNFISH WERE FOUND AT ABOVE LOCAL MEDIAN LEVELS. NORTHERN PIKE AND GREEN SUN- FISH WERE SAMPLED AT LOW LEVELS. THE FISH POPULA- TION IS DOMINATED BY NUMEROUS SMALL BULLHEADS. BLUEGILLS AND CRAPPIES ARE MOSTLY VERY SMALL INDI- VIDUALS. THE WINTERKILL OF 1978-79 SEVERELY REDUC- ED THE NUMBERS OF MOST SPECIES EXCEPT BULLHEADS AND BLACK CRAPPIES.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Yellow Perch 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 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sunset is from 1999. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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