Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 12, 2023
Little Sturgeon Lake FishingCWater-quality grade C
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Sturgeon Lake average 3.52 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 12, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 17–30 inches. In St. Louis County, Minnesota, Little Sturgeon Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of C. Water clarity averages 4.8 feet of visibility, and the lake has public access. 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 Sturgeon Lake
12 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 Sturgeon 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
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 Sturgeon Lake average 3.52 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 12, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 17–30 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Little Sturgeon Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
7 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-06-12 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 5.41 | 0.09 lb |
| Bluegill | 5.29 | 0.16 lb |
| Northern Pike | 3.52 | 1.95 lb |
| Black Crappie | 2.51 | 0.27 lb |
| Tullibee (Cisco) | 1.78 | 0.54 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 1.62 | 0.22 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
Bluegill
Northern Pike
Black Crappie
From the 2023-06-12 survey
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…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Little Sturgeon Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Little SturgeonFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Little Sturgeon (1804)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Little SturgeonFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Little SturgeonPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Little Sturgeon Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Sturgeon Lake average 3.52 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 7 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated June 12, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 17–30 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 12 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 Sturgeon Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Little Sturgeon Lake is dated June 12, 2023. 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 Sturgeon Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Little Sturgeon 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 Sturgeon Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Little Sturgeon Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 4 years of monitoring is declining. 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.
Where to stay near Little Sturgeon Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Little Sturgeon Lake
Planning a trip to Little Sturgeon Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Little Sturgeon Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.