Salo Lake

How big is Salo Lake?

How deep is Salo Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Salo Lake?

Are there boat launches on Salo Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Salo Lake?

Salo is a 137 acre lake with 127 (93%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 20 feet. The lake is located 5 miles north of Rollins, Minnesota off Highway #44 and has a Forest Service administered concrete back-in access. Salo Lake has been actively managed for walleye by stocking one pound of fingerlings per littoral acre every other year from 1990 through 2005. Stocking shifted from even to odd years after 1998.

Walleye abundance of 0.5 per gillnet lift was down slightly from 2006 (0.7) and below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size was 15.2 inches but not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth. Several Walleye were also captured in the trapnets for an abundance of 0.9 per lift. Natural reproduction appears limited as all Walleye captured were aged to stocked year-classes. The 2007, 2011 and 2013 year-classes were represented.

No prior Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass electrofishing assessments have been conducted on Salo Lake, but Largemouth Bass were sampled with regular assessment gear in 1989, 1994 and 2006. Smallmouth Bass have been sampled with regular assessment gear in all years except 1979. A total of 16 Largemouth Bass were sampled for a catch rate of 11.0 per hour of electrofishing on-time. Average length was 14.2 inches and recruitment was steady from 2007 through 2011. Three Smallmouth Bass with a mean length of 11.9 inches were also sampled. The catch rate of Smallmouth Bass was 2.1 fish per hour of electrofishing on-time. Not enough individuals were captured to evaluate stock density or growth, but recruitment appears sporadic with only two year-classes present.

Northern Pike abundance of 10.2 per gillnet lift was up substantially from 2006 (2.8) and was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. This catch represents a historical high for Salo Lake (previous range; 1.7 to 4.8). Average size was 21.3 inches.

Black Crappie abundance of 4.4 per gillnet lift was up from 2006 (0.5) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was 8.4 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area populations. Age analysis revealed relatively steady recruitment from 2004 through 2011.

Bluegill abundance of 28.3 per trapnet lift was up substantially from 2006 (5.8) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average was 6.8 inches and growth was slow compared to other Duluth Area populations. Age analysis revealed a strong 2006 year-class and steady recruitment from 2005 through 2011.

Yellow Perch abundance of 9.0 per gillnet lift was up from 2006 (5.0) but still average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size was 6.9 inches.

Other fish species sampled include Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish and White Sucker.

What is the average air temp for Salo Lake?

Are there any state parks near Salo Lake?