Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest September 17, 2024
Little Sauk Lake FishingDWater-quality grade D
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Sauk Lake average 8.97 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 16 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 17, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–7 inches. In Todd County, Minnesota, Little Sauk Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of D. Water clarity averages 5.1 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Little Sauk Lake
17 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Little Sauk Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Little Sauk Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Sauk Lake average 8.97 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 16 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 17, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–7 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Little Sauk Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 2 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
16 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-09-17 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 36.08 | 0.15 lb |
| Black Crappie | 22.65 | 0.33 lb |
| Bluegill | 11.43 | 0.35 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 8.97 | 1.73 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 7.90 | 0.82 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 4.86 | 1.04 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Yellow Perch
Black Crappie
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
From the 2024-09-17 survey
Fall Trap netting was performed September 17-18 to provide data on the Bluegill and Black Crappie size structures. "Conservation Regulations" were enacted in June of 2000 upon the development and opening of a public access site. The bag limits for sunfish and Black Crappie were reduced to 5 fish under these…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Little Sauk Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Little SaukFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Little SaukFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Little SaukPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Little Sauk Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Sauk Lake average 8.97 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 16 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 17, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 4–7 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 17 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Little Sauk Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Little Sauk Lake is dated September 17, 2024. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Little Sauk Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Little Sauk Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Little Sauk Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Little Sauk Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 2 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
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Top-rated places to stay near Little Sauk Lake
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