Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest August 7, 2023
South Center Lake FishingCWater-quality grade C
Minnesota DNR surveys at South Center Lake average 23.75 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated August 7, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–19 inches. In Chisago County, Minnesota, South Center Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of C. Water clarity averages 4.7 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 South Center Lake
14 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 South Center 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 South Center 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 South Center Lake average 23.75 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated August 7, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–19 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades South Center Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
14 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2023-08-07 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 63.34 | 0.14 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 53.54 | — |
| Largemouth Bass | 23.75 | 1.08 lb |
| Black Crappie | 14.43 | 0.2 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
Largemouth Bass
Black Crappie
From the 2023-08-07 survey
South Center Lake is an 835 acre lake in southern Chisago County best suited for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie. Although much of the lake is less than 15 feet (561 acres or 67%), the lake has a maximum depth of 109 feet. Water clarity is low, with visibility to only 3 feet. A high amount of…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for South Center Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — South CenterFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — South CenterFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — South CenterPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in South Center Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at South Center Lake average 23.75 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 14 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated August 7, 2023. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–19 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 14 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 South Center Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for South Center Lake is dated August 7, 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 South Center Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for South Center 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 South Center Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades South Center Lake C from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. 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 South Center Lake
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