Little Sturgeon Lake
About Little Sturgeon Lake
Little Sturgeon Lake is a 272-acre lake near Chisholm in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 22 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 27 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Little Sturgeon Lake
- 272 acres, up to 22 feet deep, near Chisholm
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 4.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 272 acres
- Max depth
- 22 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 54 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 12
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 20
- Years of record
- 27
- Earliest
- March 30, 2000
- Latest
- May 7, 2022
- Most recent
- May 7, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Sturgeon Lake
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Nearby Lakes
West Sturgeon Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm117 acres
1.1 miles away
South Sturgeon Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Chisholm204 acres
1.6 miles away
Sturgeon Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm1,585 acres
1.6 miles away
Side Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm368 acres
1.8 miles away
Perch Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm344 acres
2.9 miles away
Beatrice Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Side Lake124 acres
3.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Sturgeon Lake?
Little Sturgeon Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Chisholm. It covers 272 acres and reaches 22 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Sturgeon Lake?
Little Sturgeon Lake covers 272 acres with about 3.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 22 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Sturgeon Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Sturgeon Lake?
Yes. Little Sturgeon Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Sturgeon Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Sturgeon Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Little Sturgeon Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Little Sturgeon Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Little Sturgeon Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 20, from 27 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 30, 2000 and the latest is May 7, 2022.