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Frequently Asked Questions About Snelling Lake, MN
- How big is Snelling Lake?
- How deep is Snelling Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Snelling Lake?
- Are there fishing guides or charters for Snelling Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Snelling Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Snelling Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Snelling Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Snelling Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Snelling Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Snelling Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Snelling Lake?
How big is Snelling Lake?
How deep is Snelling Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Snelling Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Brook Silverside, Common Shiner, Emerald Shiner, Freshwater Drum, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, River Carpsucker, Smallmouth Buffalo, Spotfin Shiner and White Sucker.
Are there fishing guides or charters for Snelling Lake?
What are the closest cities to Snelling Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Snelling Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Snelling Lake?
Are there boat launches on Snelling Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Snelling Lake?
Explore the Snelling Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
What aquatic invasive species are found in Snelling Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
Snelling Lake is located in Fort Snelling State Park, one of the most popular state parks in Minnesota. Many shore-fishing locations exist, including a fishing pier on the north end of the lake. This shallow, class 43 lake is heavily vegetated with a variety of native aquatic vegetation as well as exotic curly leaf pondweed and Eurasian water milfoil. No gas boat motors are permitted. Snelling Lake is equipped with an aeration system that is run to prevent winterkill in winters when oxygen levels fall low. A population assessment was conducted during June 2009 to determine the species composition and abundance of game fish in the lake.
Snelling Lake has historically had a high density bluegill population (averaging 66/trap net over the previous 3 population assessments) At 54 per trap net in 2009, bluegill abundance was again high and size structure and mean weight (0.15 lbs) were low. Fifty-one percent of bluegill were less than 6 inches and the remaining 49% were between 6 and 6.8 inches. Mean length was 5.9 inches. Ages 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 were represented and growth was slower than average compared with other similar West Metro Area lakes.
The northern pike population has remained relatively stable over the previous 4 assessments dating back to 1995. In the 2009 assessment, 7.5/gill net were collected. Ninety-three percent were 21 inches or greater and 27% were 28 inches or greater. The largest pike measured 32.5 inches and 6.7 lbs. Northern pike reached 19.3 inches by age 3, indicating growth is similar to other similar West Metro Area lakes.
One largemouth bass was sampled, however, passive sampling gears, such as trap nets and gill nets, are not effective methods for collecting largemouth bass, so the data presented for this species is not indicative of relative abundance. Electrofishing is the typical method for largemouth bass assessments but was not conducted during this survey.
Pumpkinseed abundance continues to be high (9.3/trap net). Other species sampled in low abundance included black crappie, yellow perch, bowfin, green sunfish, and black, brown, and yellow bullhead.
What is the average air temp for Snelling Lake?
Are there any state parks near Snelling Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Snelling Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Crosby Lake | 2.4 mi | 69 | 19 ft |
| Rogers Lake | 2.4 mi | 102 | 8 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 2.5 mi | 23 | 43 ft |
| Lemay Lake | 2.8 mi | 36 | 15.5 ft |
| Taft Lake | 3.2 mi | 14 | 45 ft |
| Lake Nokomis | 3.3 mi | 201 | 33 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 3.5 mi | 14 | 14.5 ft |
| Lake Hiawatha | 3.7 mi | 53 | 33 ft |
| Pickerel Lake | 4.1 mi | 114 | 11 ft |
| Fish Lake | 4.2 mi | 31 | 33.5 ft |
