Salo Lake
St. Louis County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be moderately active with peak fishing times around 3-5 PM. SEE MORE
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We want to see what you've caught on Salo Lake.Frequently Asked Questions About Salo Lake, MN
- How big is Salo Lake?
- How deep is Salo Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Salo Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Salo Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Salo Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Salo Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Salo Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Salo Lake?
How big is Salo Lake?
How deep is Salo Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Salo Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter and White Sucker.
Are there places to stay in the Salo Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Salo Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Salo Lake?
History & Status of the Fishery
Salo is a 141-acre lake with 127 (90%) 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 U.S. Forest Service administered concrete back-in access. Salo was last surveyed in 2014. Salo was surveyed during the summer of 2020 to update information about fish populations and evaluate the success of the Walleye stocking program.
Salo Lake has been actively managed for Walleye by stocking fingerlings every other year since 1990. Walleye abundance of 1.2 per gillnet lift was up from 2014 (0.5) but still slightly below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was 16.7 inches. The ages of 91% of the Walleye captured corresponded to stocked year-classes, suggesting limited natural reproduction.
Black Crappie abundance of 10.2 per trapnet lift was up from 2014 (4.4) and above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Black Crappie average length was 8.9 inches. The proportion of adult Black Crappie captured that exceeded quality size (greater than 8 inches) was 88%, while the proportion that exceeded preferred size (greater than 10 inches) was 13%. All year-classes from 2012 to 2019 were represented with back to back strong year-classes present. Bluegill abundance of 7.1 per trapnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Bluegill average length was 6.1 inches, but only 5% of the catch exceeded preferred size (greater than 8 inches).
Salo Lake also offers quality angling opportunities for Northern Pike. Northern Pike abundance of 4.5 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was large at 23.6 inches. The proportion of adult Northern Pike captured that exceeded preferred size (greater than 28 inches) was 31%, while the proportion captured that exceeded memorable size (greater than 34 inches) was 8%.
Spring targeted bass sampling was suspended during 2020 due to the pandemic. However, both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are present in Salo and previous investigations have shown quality fisheries exist.
What is the average air temp for Salo Lake?
Are there any state parks near Salo 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 Salo Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Kylen Lake | 0.6 mi | 15 | |
| Tommila Lake | 0.9 mi | 79 | |
| Breda Lake | 2.2 mi | 137 | 4 ft |
| Norton Lake | 2.3 mi | 27 | |
| Murphy Lake | 2.7 mi | 113 | 12 ft |
| George Lake | 3.3 mi | 42 | 18 ft |
| Bassett Lake | 4.5 mi | 403 | 21 ft |
| Indian Lake | 4.5 mi | 57 | 19 ft |
| Cadotte Lake | 5.1 mi | 294 | 18 ft |
| Lanta Lake | 5.4 mi | 22 |
