Minnesota · Lake County
South Farm Lake Fishing guide
South Farm Lake covers 564 acres in Lake County, Minnesota, reaching 31 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 5.2 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2023Good numbers5per gill net13"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 44 fish
2023Lengths measured · 23 fish
2017Lengths measured · 55 fish
2012Lengths measured · 43 fish
2008No recent survey rating.
No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few3.8per gill net21"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 46 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 46 fish
2023Lengths measured · 16 fish
2017Lengths measured · 27 fish
2012Lengths measured · 39 fish
2008BluegillJust a few4.8per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 45 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2017Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 100 fish
2012Lengths measured · 213 fish
2008CrappieJust a few4.9per trap net10"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 40 fish
2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2017Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 25 fish
2012Lengths measured · 49 fish
2008Yellow perchFair numbers3per gill net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 39 fish
2023Lengths measured · 13 fish
2017Lengths measured · 67 fish
2012Lengths measured · 90 fish
2008Rates 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 Farm Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- 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. With 64% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. With 64% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Walleye | Northern pike | Yellow perch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24" | 36" | 11" |
| 2017 | 26" | 32" | 9" |
| 2012 | 25" | 36" | 11" |
| 2008 | 22" | 42" | 11" |
| 2004 | 24" | 42" | 10" |
| 1999 | 25" | 42" | 10" |
| 1994 | 25" | 25" | 10" |
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:
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 · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Yellow perch · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,220 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 6,080 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 11,605 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 7,200 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in South Farm Lake on July 31st, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 26.2 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 10.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 13.2 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 2.7 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present but marginal.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 19.4 degrees C (66.9 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco at the time of the survey as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of the survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 4 years, between 2008-2024, also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 0.5 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress. On South Farm Lake, when adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, fish can move out of the lake into Farm Lake which contains better oxythermal conditions for Cisco.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
South Farm Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on South Farm 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
- DNR access: West side of South Farm - Navigable channel from Farm Lk.
- US Forest Service access: Carry down off roadbed for small boat or canoe. Limited parking
DNR bathymetry
South Farm Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Farm Lake · 1,292 ac · 1.8 mi
- Eskwagama Lake · 88 ac · 2.1 mi
- Pickerel Lake · 182 ac · 2.3 mi
- Clear Lake · 248 ac · 2.9 mi
- Garden Lake · 653 ac · 3.1 mi
- Bruin Lake · 35 ac · 3.1 mi
- Stub Lake · 89 ac · 3.8 mi
- Little Gabbro Lake · 148 ac · 4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is South Farm Lake?
South Farm Lake reaches 31 ft at its deepest point; about 64% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is South Farm Lake?
South Farm Lake covers 564 acres with about 10.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in South Farm Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on South Farm Lake average 5.2 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in South Farm Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is South Farm Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does South Farm Lake have a public access?
Yes. South Farm Lake has 2 public access sites, including a DNR access (West side of South Farm - Navigable channel from Farm Lk.).
How big do walleye get in South Farm Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was South Farm Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed South Farm Lake in 2025, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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