Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest August 29, 1991
Sunshine Lake FishingNRNot rated for water quality
Minnesota DNR surveys at Sunshine Lake average 4.63 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 29, 1991. In St. Louis County, Minnesota, Sunshine 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 20.0 feet of visibility. 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.
Stocking at Sunshine Lake
No stocking record for Sunshine Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is an absence in the published record, not a confirmation that the lake is unstocked — some waters are managed as naturally reproducing and never appear in a stocking list at all.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Sunshine Lake average 4.63 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 29, 1991.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality does not assign an A–F grade on Sunshine Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, 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
1 survey on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1991-08-29 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 12.25 | 0.23 lb |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 8.00 | 0.51 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 5.00 | 0.19 lb |
| Northern Pike | 4.63 | 3.78 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 2.38 | 0.45 lb |
| Rock Bass | 2.38 | 0.23 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.
From the 1991-08-29 survey
ALL FISH POPULATIONS SAMPLED IN SUNSHINE LAKE ARE NATURALLY REPRODUCING NOP GILLNET CATCH RATE OF 8.5 PER LIFT IS WELL ABOVE THE MEDIAN OF 2.7 PER LIFT FOR THIS LAKE CLASS. NOP SIZE STRUCTURE IS EXCELLENT WITH A MEAN LENGTH OF 24.1 INCHES AND 41% OF THE FISH IN OUR SAMPLE LONGER THAN 28.0 INCHES. NOP GROWTH RATES ARE…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Sunshine Lake. 2 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — SunshineFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Sunshine (0461)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Sunshine Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Sunshine Lake average 4.63 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 1 survey. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 29, 1991. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Sunshine Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Sunshine Lake is dated August 29, 1991. 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 Sunshine Lake stocked?
No stocking record for Sunshine Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is not the same as a confirmed unstocked lake: it means no stocking document was published for it in the records this page draws on.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Sunshine 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 Sunshine Lake — official chemistry is on file, not a letter, 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.
Where to stay near Sunshine Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Sunshine Lake
Planning a trip to Sunshine Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Sunshine Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.