Sturgeon Lake
About Sturgeon Lake
Sturgeon Lake is a 1,585-acre lake near Chisholm in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 80 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 10.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 25, based on 39 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sturgeon Lake
- 1,585 acres, up to 80 feet deep, near Chisholm
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 12.8 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,585 acres
- Max depth
- 80 ft
- Shoreline
- 10.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 667 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
- 15
- Game fish
- 10
- 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 25
- Years of record
- 39
- Earliest
- March 27, 2012
- Latest
- May 13, 1996
- Most recent
- April 25, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Sturgeon Lake
Compare Sturgeon Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Sturgeon Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
West Sturgeon Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm117 acres
1.6 miles away
Side Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm368 acres
1.6 miles away
Little Sturgeon Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm272 acres
1.6 miles away
Beatrice Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Side Lake124 acres
2 miles away
Perch Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm344 acres
2.8 miles away
South Sturgeon Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Chisholm204 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sturgeon Lake?
Sturgeon Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Chisholm. It covers 1,585 acres and reaches 80 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sturgeon Lake?
Sturgeon Lake covers 1,585 acres with about 10.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 80 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sturgeon Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Lake Whitefish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Sturgeon Lake?
Yes. 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 Sturgeon Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at 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 Sturgeon Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Sturgeon Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Sturgeon Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 25, from 39 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 27, 2012 and the latest is May 13, 1996.