Sturgeon Lake

How big is Sturgeon Lake?

How deep is Sturgeon Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Sturgeon Lake?

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

Sturgeon Lake

Are there boat launches on Sturgeon Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Sturgeon Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Sturgeon Lake?

Located in northern Pine County, 1405 acre Sturgeon Lake has an average depth of 22 feet and a maximum depth of 40 feet. Its shoreline length is estimated at 9.56 miles with a maximum fetch of 1.12 miles. Water clarity is good with visibility of 9-10 feet. There is a public access on the north end of the lake, two resorts, and one YMCA campground located on the south and west shores of Sturgeon Lake. Shoreline development is high with cabins and homes along most of the shoreline.

Long-range management goals for Sturgeon Lake include establishing a Walleye gill net catch of 5 per net with a 2 pound average, a Yellow Perch catch of 10 per net, and a Northern Pike population of less than 5 per net with 40% of the population longer than 24 inches. The management plan calls for stocking 600 pounds of Walleye fingerlings annually.

A 20 inch maximum regulation for Northern Pike was implemented in 1997 with the intent of reducing the percentage of Northern Pike less than 20 inches. This regulation was changed to a 24 to 36 inch protected slot in 2008 and is still in place today. The goal of the regulation is to allow anglers to harvest slightly larger fish but still protect the pike 24 inches and larger.

To compare the present fish community to similar lakes and to evaluate management goals, night electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was conducted in June and a standard survey using gill nets and trap nets was conducted in August of 2015.

The Northern Pike size structure has declined since the regulation change in 2008. The percentage of northerns exceeding 20 and 24 inches accounted for 21% and 7% of the catch respectively in 2015, compared to 38% and 21% in 2006. Pike were smaller and more abundant than normal when compared to similar lakes. Nearly half the Northern Pike sampled were 3 year old fish averaging 16.5 inches long.

Competition with and/or predation by Northern Pike is likely impacting the Yellow Perch and Walleye populations of Sturgeon Lake. In regards to abundance, both species were present below their respective management goals and norms for similar lakes. The Walleye catch of 1.8 per net was one of the lowest catches on record. On a positive note, Walleye averaged 2 pounds, achieving the management goal and exceeding similar lakes. Sampled Walleye ranged from 13.3 to 23.4 inches with a 17.7 inch average. Despite stockings in 2008 and 2013, the Yellow Perch population has shown an overall decline in abundance since 1979. Only 11 perch were netted during the 2015 assessment, yielding a catch rate below both the management goal and the 25th percentile when compared to similar lakes.

The 2015 Black Crappie trap net catch was very similar to the previous assessment in 2011. The Bluegill catch rebounded to near record levels. Both were within their respective lake class normal range. Sampled crappies ranged from 6.2 to 10.3 inches with a 7.9 inch average length, and Bluegill ranged from 2.9 to 8.5 inches with a 6 inch average.

Sturgeon's Largemouth Bass were sampled by night electrofishing on June 11. One hour and eighteen minutes of electrofishing sampled 104 bass yielding a catch rate of 79.98 per hour, very similar to the previous two samples. Bass averaged a respectable 12.2 inches and 1.1 pounds and ranged in length from 7.2 to 19.8 inches with half the catch exceeding 12 inches. Age analysis indicated good growth with most bass reaching 12 inches in their fifth summer.

Anglers visiting Sturgeon Lake can expect fast action from small Northern Pike, good numbers of quality sized Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Black Crappie in acceptable sizes and abundance, and the occasional decent-sized Walleye.

What is the average air temp for Sturgeon Lake?

Are there any state parks near Sturgeon Lake?