Sugar Lake

How big is Sugar Lake?

How deep is Sugar Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Sugar Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Sugar Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Sugar Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Sugar Lake

Are there boat launches on Sugar Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Sugar Lake?

Sugar Lake is a 398-acre lake located east of Glen, in south central Aitkin County, and has a state owned public access on the south shore. About 60 percent of the lake is less than 15 feet deep with a 25 foot hole in the east end of the lake and a 45 foot deep area in the south central part of the lake. The water is moderately clear with a light algae bloom. Anglers will find several species in Sugar Lake, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, rock bass and an occasional smallmouth bass.

The walleye population has been supported by walleye fingerling stocking and, although numbers were not high, there were several year classes present. Mean length for walleye was 17 inches with one individual longer than 26 inches in the sample. Growth rates were normal. Walleye stocking efforts of high density fingerlings has had poor success over the past decade and has been replaced with a fry and fingerling stocking plan.

Northern pike were abundant with a wide range of sizes available to the angler. Northern pike caught in this survey ranged from 10 to 34 inches in length. The average pike caught was on the smaller side at around 19.5 inches, yet approximately 27% of pike sampled were greater than 24 inches long. Anglers are encouraged to protect and to maximize the benefit of this quality pike fishery by practicing catch and release on these larger individuals. Recycling these exceptional fish is the best way to catch another in the future.

Black crappies are the primary management species for the lake and tend to have average growth rates and survival. Currently there are several good year classes available to the angler, providing for good fishing opportunities. Gill net catch rates for black crappie were similar to what they were in the 2011 survey at 3.4/net, which was still within the normal range for this lake type. Crappie had a mean length of 8.3 inches and a maximum length of 13.5 inches, which met one of the lakes management goals of maintaining fish over 11 inches in the population.

Bluegill CPUE from the trap nets has increased since 2011 (11.3/net), to 19.9/net in 2016, which is just under the long term average (20.2/net). Bluegill growth rates have typically been slower than average, and no individuals were observed that had reached 8 inches.

Sugar Lake has both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass present. Largemouth bass are far more abundant than smallmouth bass, which were not observed in this year's standard survey gear. They have been sampled in previous years' standard assessments and were observed as young-of-the-year in the 2016 IBI survey (Targeted Assessment July 19, 2016). Largemouth bass approaching 20 inches were sampled, and 12.5 inches was the average length.

Due to Sugar Lake's proximity to Mille Lacs, aquatic invasive species are of great concern. Anglers are encouraged to take extra precautions to help stop the spread of invasive species.

As referred to earlier, in addition to the standard summer field work, IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling was also conducted in 2016. IBI sampling included backpack electrofishing and seining to more broadly sample the general fish community and develop a fish-based index of overall lake health (see Targeted Assessment 7/19/2016).

What is the average air temp for Sugar Lake?

Are there any state parks near Sugar Lake?