Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 6, 2017
Snelling Lake FishingFWater-quality grade F
Minnesota DNR surveys at Snelling Lake average 30.62 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 13 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 6, 2017. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–8 inches. In Hennepin County, Minnesota, Snelling Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of F. Water clarity averages 1.8 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 Snelling Lake
10 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 Snelling 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 Snelling Lake average 30.62 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 13 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 6, 2017. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–8 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Snelling Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
13 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2017-06-06 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 30.62 | 0.13 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 15.27 | 0.4 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 11.92 | 0.09 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 10.82 | 0.1 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 5.81 | 0.36 lb |
| Brown Bullhead | 2.90 | 0.57 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.
Bluegill
Black Bullhead
Pumpkinseed
Hybrid Sunfish
From the 2017-06-06 survey
Snelling Lake is located in Fort Snelling State Park, one of the most popular state parks in Minnesota. Shore fishing locations include a pier on the north end of the lake. Boat access is available on the southern end of the lake but gas engines are prohibited. This shallow class 43 lake is heavily vegetated with a…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Snelling Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — SnellingFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — SnellingFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — SnellingPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Snelling Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Snelling Lake average 30.62 bluegill per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 13 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 6, 2017. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–8 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 10 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 Snelling Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Snelling Lake is dated June 6, 2017. 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 Snelling Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Snelling 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 Snelling Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Snelling Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 3 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.
Where to stay near Snelling Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Snelling Lake
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