Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 20, 2022
St Olaf Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at St Olaf Lake average 27.78 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 20, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–20 inches. In Waseca County, Minnesota, St Olaf Lake has no letter grade — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity. Water clarity averages 5.0 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 St Olaf Lake
11 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 St Olaf 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 St Olaf Lake average 27.78 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 20, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–20 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on St Olaf Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
11 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2022-06-20 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluntnose Minnow | 58.11 | — |
| Bluegill | 55.88 | 0.14 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 27.78 | 1.18 lb |
| Black Crappie | 14.48 | 0.18 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 10.12 | 0.58 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
Black Bullhead
From the 2022-06-20 survey
St Olaf Lake is a 91-acre lake located approximately 3.5 miles east of the town of New Richland in Waseca County. The county-owned public access is located on the north shore off County Highway 8. St Olaf Lake has a maximum depth of 33 feet, with approximately 55% of the lake less than 15 feet. St Olaf Lake is…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for St Olaf Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — St. OlafFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — St. OlafFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — St. OlafPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in St Olaf Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at St Olaf Lake average 27.78 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 11 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 20, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 3–20 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 11 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 St Olaf Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for St Olaf Lake is dated June 20, 2022. 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 St Olaf Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for St Olaf 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 St Olaf Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on St Olaf Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, and the water-quality trend over 6 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 St Olaf Lake
Top-rated places to stay near St Olaf Lake
Planning a trip to St Olaf Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near St Olaf Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.