Lake Sarah

How big is Lake Sarah?

How deep is Lake Sarah?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Sarah?

What are the closest cities to Lake Sarah?

Are there topographical lake maps available Lake Sarah?

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 Lake Sarah (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Lake Sarah

Are there boat launches on Lake Sarah?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Sarah?

What are the fishing regulations for Lake Sarah?

There are specific fishing regulations Lake Sarah that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Sarah?

Lake Sarah is a productive 561-acre lake located southeast of Rockford in Hennepin County. There is a township-owned public boat access on the southwest shore of the west basin. Lake Sarah is primarily managed for Northern Pike fishing and secondarily for Bluegill and Largemouth Bass, although the lake supports a substantial crappie fishery as well. Walleye, privately stocked since 2006, are now established at low levels.

Maximum depth is 59 ft and water clarity in July was 2.0 ft. Mid-summer oxygen readings indicated the lake was strongly stratified with poor (<2 ppm) dissolved oxygen below 12 feet. Low oxygen levels (starting at depths as shallow as 10 ft) during summer stratification may influence fish location and behavior. A population assessment consisting of summer gill nets and fall trap nets was conducted in 2013 to characterize the game fish community in Lake Sarah. Nighttime electrofishing was also conducted in the fall to assess the Largemouth Bass population.

Lake Sarah has maintained its quality Northern Pike fishery, as reflected by an abundant population with an extended size structure. One hundred fourteen pike were sampled (12.7/gill net). Relative abundance was greater than the 75th percentile value (7.3/gill net) based on similar lakes. Northern Pike numbers have fluctuated over the previous 4 assessments, dating back to 1996, where abundance ranged from 0.89 to 18.6/net. Pike from 15.9 to 36.1 inches were sampled this survey and size structure was skewed toward larger fish. Seventy-nine percent were 21 inches or longer and 16 percent were 28 inches or longer. The average Northern Pike was 24.1 inches and 3.3 lbs. Mean weight was near the 75th percentile (3.5 lbs) based on other similar lakes. Both mean length and weight were smaller than the previous assessment (2007) where fish averaged 28.1 inches and 5.3 lbs; however abundance was lower in 2007 (7.1/net). Northern Pike grew fast through age 5. Fish were 21.9 inches by age 3 and 26.1 inches by age 6.

Walleye fry or fingerlings have been privately stocked by the Lake Sarah Improvement Association on a yearly basis since 2006 (except 2009). Despite this, abundance is low at 1.0/gill net. Fish from the 2008 (age 5), 2010 (age 3), and 2011 (age 2) year classes were equally present. All three of these year classes were stocked as fingerlings. No fish from the fry-stocked 2006 or 2007 year classes were present. Walleye ranged from 11.6 - 22.8 inches, averaging 17.9 inches and 2.2 lbs. Mean weight was slightly heavier than the median of Walleye in other similar lakes. Walleye grew fast compared to other lakes in the West Metro Area, reaching 17.1 inches by age 3. It is often difficult to establish Walleye in lakes with high-density Northern Pike populations, such as Lake Sarah. Lack of recruitment caused by Northern Pike predation may be limiting the quality of the Walleye fishery, but the surviving fish appear to be growing well. Future assessments will help monitor the success of the Walleye stocking efforts.

Night electrofishing was conducted in late September to assess the adult Largemouth Bass population in Lake Sarah. Ninety-seven bass were sampled-a rate of 54.0/hour. Relative abundance (54.0/hr) was slightly above average when compared to other similarly sampled West Metro lakes over the past two years (5 lakes, average= 45.8/hr, range = 18.6 102.3/hr). Lake Sarah Largemouth Bass size ranged from 6.5 to 16.9 inches, averaging 11.0 inches and 0.8 lbs. The size structure was balanced with 42 percent of sampled fish 12 inches or longer and 6 percent 15 inches or longer. The 2009 (age 4) and 2010 (age 3) year classes were most abundant, 24 percent and 45 percent of the total, respectively. Largemouth Bass had good growth rates. Most age classes (ages 2-8) had rates above or near the average compared to other lakes in the West Metro Area.

Bluegill were moderately abundant in Lake Sarah (24.5/trap net). The catch rate was near the median when compared to other similar lakes. Bluegill ranged from 3.1 to 8.3 inches, averaging 6.4 inches and 0.2 lbs. Size structure was skewed towards larger fish. Fifty-six percent were relatively evenly distributed between 6.0 and 7.5 inches. Twelve percent were between 7.5 and 8.5 inches. Bluegill grew fast, reaching 5.3 inches by age 3 and 7.6 inches by age 7.

Black and White crappie are present in Lake Sarah. Black Crappie were the most abundant in the 2013 assessment, sampled at a rate of 13.8/gill net. Numbers were lower than the previous assessment in 2007 (33.1/gill net) but were still near the 75th percentile (16.5/gill net) compared to other similar lakes. Black Crappie ranged from 4.9 to 11.1 inches, averaging 7.3 inches and 0.2 lbs. Mean weight was near the 75th percentile (0.3 lbs). The size structure was balanced and included a moderate abundance of larger fish. Thirty-three percent were 8 inches or longer and 7 percent were 10 inches or longer. Growth was faster than average. Black Crappie were 7.7 inches by age 3 and 10.1 inches by age 7.

White Crappie density is considered low at 1.0/gill net. However, of the 6 fish sampled, all but one were longer than 9.0 inches. White Crappie ranged from 5.5 to 12.0 inches, averaging 10.0 inches and 0.5 lbs. Mean weight was above the 75th percentile (0.3) based on similar lakes.

Golden Shiners and Yellow Perch have increased since the last assessment. Golden Shiners increased from 3.8/net in 2007 to 4.4/net in 2013. Yellow Perch abundance (15.9/gill net) was considerably higher than the previous assessment in 2007 (5.5/gill net) and greater than the average over the previous 4 assessments (1991-2007, 3.5/gill net). The size structure was skewed towards smaller-sized fish; however, a few larger fish were sampled as well. Twenty-two percent were 8 inches or larger and the largest was 9.8 inches and 0.2 lbs. Growth was fast compared to other similar lakes. Perch were 6.3 inches by age 3 and 8.7 inches by age 7. The high numbers of Yellow Perch and Golden Shiners provide abundant forage for many of the predatory species in the lake. These forage species may play a significant role in the health of the Northern Pike population.

Rough fish in the survey included Bowfin (Dogfish), Yellow Bullhead, Black Bullhead, and Common Carp. Other sunfish species included hybrid sunfish and Pumpkinseed.

What is the average air temp for Lake Sarah?