Minnesota · DNR survey data
Side Lake
Side Lake covers 368 acres in St. Louis County, running to 32 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2023. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassFair numbers36per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 48 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 48 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2016Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2002Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 31 fish
1995Northern pikeJust a few4.9per gill net21"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 44 fish
2023Lengths measured · 69 fish
2016Lengths measured · 90 fish
2009Lengths measured · 99 fish
2002Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,309 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,617 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,155 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,695 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 4,162 fingerlings |
Recent reports
Side Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Side Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Side Lake (trailer launch)
- Miners Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Side Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Pickerel Lake · 32 ac · 0.9 mi
- Perch Lake · 344 ac · 1.4 mi
- Sturgeon Lake · 1,585 ac · 1.5 mi
- Little Sturgeon Lake · 272 ac · 1.6 mi
- West Sturgeon Lake · 117 ac · 2.4 mi
- Beatrice Lake · 124 ac · 3.2 mi
- South Sturgeon Lake · 204 ac · 3.2 mi
- Shoe Pack Lake · 42 ac · 5.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Side Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Side Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Side Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2023) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Does Side Lake have a public access?
Yes. Side Lake has 3 public access sites, including Side Lake (trailer launch).
Is Side Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Side Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Side Lake in 2023, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .