Minnesota · Chisago County
South Center Lake Fishing guide
South Center Lake sits in Chisago County, Minnesota, and covers 910 acres, reaching 109 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassFair numbers29per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 68 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 68 fish
2023Lengths measured · 71 fish
2019Lengths measured · 89 fish
2015Lengths measured · 78 fish
2010Northern pikeJust a few0.2per gill net26"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2023Lengths measured · 11 fish
2023Lengths measured · 30 fish
2022Lengths measured · 65 fish
2019Lengths measured · 58 fish
2015BluegillGood numbers62.9per trap net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1078 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 1078 fish
2023Lengths measured · 903 fish
2019Lengths measured · 591 fish
2015Lengths measured · 930 fish
2010CrappieJust a few6.7per trap net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 181 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 181 fish
2023Lengths measured · 533 fish
2019Lengths measured · 467 fish
2015Lengths measured · 273 fish
2010Yellow perchFair numbers2.8per gill net7"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 35 fish
2023Lengths measured · 40 fish
2019Lengths measured · 21 fish
2015Lengths measured · 12 fish
2010Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish South Center Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 3.9 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 109 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.9 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 109 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Largemouth bass | Walleye | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 19" | 26" | 35" |
| 2022 | — | — | 37" |
| 2019 | 20" | 28" | 34" |
| 2015 | 17" | 23" | 38" |
| 2010 | 18" | 27" | 36" |
| 2005 | 19" | 28" | 38" |
| 2000 | 18" | 27" | 45" |
| 1995 | 17" | 28" | 38" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 6,678 fingerlings · 284 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 24,786 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 13,851 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 13,487 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 9,649 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in South Center Lake was conducted on July 31-August 1, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at fourteen sampling stations, but five stations were sampled from the boat due soft sediments and dense vegetation. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations. Nearshore sampling captured seventeen species of fish including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter and Mimic Shiner) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Fathead Minnow and Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from an August 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Read the full DNR narrative
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in South Center Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that South Center Lake is impaired for aquatic life use. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Lower St. Croix River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
South Center Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on South Center 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
- South Center Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
South Center Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- South Lindstrom Lake · 455 ac · 1.8 mi
- North Lindstrom Lake · 142 ac · 1.9 mi
- North Center Lake · 749 ac · 2.1 mi
- Kroon Lake · 193 ac · 2.1 mi
- Little Lake · 168 ac · 2.6 mi
- Chisago Lake · 944 ac · 2.9 mi
- Sunrise Lake · 796 ac · 3.9 mi
- Spider Lake · 131 ac · 4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is South Center Lake?
South Center Lake reaches 109 ft at its deepest point; about 62% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is South Center Lake?
South Center Lake covers 910 acres with about 12.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in South Center Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on South Center Lake average 3.9 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in South Center Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is South Center Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does South Center Lake have a public access?
Yes. South Center Lake has one public access site: South Center Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in South Center Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 19"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was South Center Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed South Center Lake in 2023, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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