Upper Sakatah Lake

How big is Upper Sakatah Lake?

How deep is Upper Sakatah Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Upper Sakatah Lake?

What are the closest cities to Upper Sakatah Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Upper Sakatah 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 Upper Sakatah Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Upper Sakatah Lake

Are there boat launches on Upper Sakatah Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Upper Sakatah Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Upper Sakatah Lake?

Introduction
Upper Sakatah Lake is an 881 acre lake located in Le Sueur County east of the town of Waterville. A city-owned public access is located within the town of Waterville on the Cannon River, before it flows into the west bay of Upper Sakatah Lake. There is also an access located inside Sakatah Lake State Park off MN-60. Upper Sakatah Lake has a maximum depth of 12 feet. Upper Sakatah Lake is managed primarily for walleye and secondarily for northern pike. Walleye fry are stocked three out of every four years at a rate of 1,500 fry per littoral acre. Northern pike fry (N = 100,00) are stocked annually into a marsh area, which is connected the lake. Based in lake characteristics and limnological variables, Upper Sakatah Lake is classified in Lake Class 41. Other area lakes with this classification include Cannon Lake (Rice County), Lura Lake (Blue Earth County), and Elysian Lake (Waseca County). Upper Sakatah Lake was surveyed the week of August 4, 2014 as part of a regular monitoring program conducted by Minnesota DNR. This survey was intended to assess the fish community by deploying gill nets and trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters.

Walleye
Walleye abundance in Upper Sakatah Lake has been steadily decreasing since it was at peak abundance in 1994 (17.3 fish/gill net). The 2014 walleye catch rate of 1.3 fish/gill net was below the long-term average of 6.6 fish/gill net. Walleye lengths ranged from 9.3 to 21.1 inches and averaged 15.8 inches, indicating a relatively small size structure. Walleye were recently stocked in Upper Sakatah Lake in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Following the base stocking plan of fry stocking three out of every four years, walleye will not be stocked again until 2016.

Northern Pike
Northern pike catch rates in Upper Sakatah Lake have remained relatively stable since 1981, hovering around the long-term lake average of 1.7 fish/gill net. The 2014 survey yielded a higher catch rate of 2.8 fish/gill net, which is the highest catch rate in recent years. Northern pike lengths ranged from 18.1 to 32.8 inches and averaged 23.2 inches, indicating a moderately low size structure. Northern pike in southern Minnesota have relatively fast growth rates, especially in early life. For example, the average length of two year old northern pike from Upper Sakatah Lake was 21.7 inches. Northern pike fry (N = 100,000) are stocked into a connected marsh every year to sustain the population in Upper Sakatah Lake.

Yellow Perch
Yellow perch were the most abundant fish species sampled from gill nets in the 2014 survey, with a catch rate of 7.8 fish/net. However, this was below the long-term average for yellow perch catch rates in Upper Sakatah Lake (9.6 fish/net). The 2014 catch rate was a steep drop from that of the previous survey completed in 2009, which was a record high 26.5 fish/net. Yellow perch lengths ranged from 5.3 to 10.7 inches and averaged 7.2 inches, indicating a small size structure of yellow perch. These small yellow perch sizes are typical of the Cannon River chain of lakes. Yellow perch are only stocked after winterkill events and have not been stocked in recent years, so the current population is sustained through natural recruitment.

Black Crappie
Black crappie abundance has been variable in Upper Sakatah Lake, ranging from 5.0 fish/net in 1999 to 0.4 fish/net in 2004. The 2014 catch rate of 2.0 fish/net was close to the long-term lake average of 2.2 fish/net. Black crappie are not stocked in Upper Sakatah Lake, so abundance is dependent on spawning success from year to year, as well as recruitment from other lakes along the Cannon River chain. The length of black crappie ranged from 4.8 to 6.6 inches and averaged 5.5 inches, which indicates that the black crappie population in Upper Sakatah Lake is small.

Bluegill
Similarly to black crappie, the bluegill abundance in Upper Sakatah Lake has varied considerably throughout the survey years. The 2014 trap net catch rate dropped considerably from that of 2009 (7.1 fish/net) to only 0.1 fish/net. Six bluegill were also collected in gill nets (0.8 fish/net). Bluegill from both gear types ranged in length from 3.5 to 8.3 inches and averaged 6.2 inches. Given the low abundance and small size structure of bluegill in Upper Sakatah Lake, other lakes in the area are likely better bluegill fishing options.

White Bass
In surveys conducted from 1999 to 2009, the white bass catch rate averaged 14.7 fish/gill net. In 2014, the catch rate dropped to 3.3 fish/gill net. The length of white bass was impressive, ranging from 8.6 to 15.9 inches and averaging 13.7 inches, indicating a large size structure for white bass. White bass are not stocked in Upper Sakatah Lake, so the current population is sustained through natural reproduction.

Other Species
Black and yellow bullhead are present in Upper Sakatah Lake in relatively low abundance. The black bullhead gill net catch rate in 2014 was 3.0 fish/net and lengths averaged 13.0 inches, so the size structure is comprised of larger individuals. Yellow bullheads were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 0.6 fish/net and averaged 12.6 inches. Other fish species collected in the 2014 survey included channel catfish (N = 6), freshwater drum (N = 188), bowfin (N = 46), common carp (N = 37), white sucker (N = 3), and pumpkinseed (N = 1).

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural recruitment. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish community and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

What is the average air temp for Upper Sakatah Lake?

Are there any state parks near Upper Sakatah Lake?