Minnesota · Chisago County
South Lindstrom Lake Fishing guide
South Lindstrom Lake sits in Chisago County, Minnesota, and covers 455 acres, reaching 34 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 6.7 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Excellent numbers6per gill net18"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 39 fish
2022Lengths measured · 52 fish
2018Lengths measured · 60 fish
2014Lengths measured · 21 fish
2010Largemouth bassGood numbers61.7per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 41 fish
2022Lengths measured · 100 fish
2018Lengths measured · 144 fish
2014Lengths measured · 125 fish
2010Northern pikeJust a few5.3per gill net26"Typical38"Biggest
Lengths measured · 36 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 36 fish
2022Lengths measured · 30 fish
2018Lengths measured · 33 fish
2014Lengths measured · 36 fish
2010BluegillFair numbers46.6per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 650 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 650 fish
2022Lengths measured · 442 fish
2018Lengths measured · 269 fish
2014Lengths measured · 609 fish
2010CrappieJust a few8.9per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 153 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 153 fish
2022Lengths measured · 88 fish
2018Lengths measured · 72 fish
2014Lengths measured · 346 fish
2010Yellow perchFair numbers3.5per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 21 fish
2022Lengths measured · 30 fish
2018Lengths measured · 9 fish
2014Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 57 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 Lindstrom 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.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- 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.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24" | 16" | 38" |
| 2018 | 26" | 17" | 27" |
| 2014 | 25" | 17" | 30" |
| 2010 | 22" | 18" | 34" |
| 2005 | 28" | 19" | 40" |
| 2000 | 27" | 15" | 32" |
| 1995 | 26" | 16" | 29" |
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
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
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 | 919 fingerlings · 1,025 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 14,071 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 5,200 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 3,120 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
South Lindstrom Lake is a moderately fertile 499-acre lake located in southern Chisago County bordering the city of Lindstrom. The lake is broadly connected to Chisago Lake by a natural channel. The connection between the two lakes facilitates fish movement and the two lakes are considered one for management purposes. Either lake can be accessed via a concrete public boat ramp located in the channel between lakes. The primary management species are Walleye and Largemouth Bass. The Walleye population is maintained by stocking 900 lbs. of fingerlings in even numbered years. There is currently a special regulation on Largemouth Bass limiting harvest to fish less than 12 inches in length. A survey consisting of 6 gill net (July) and 9 trap net (May) sets was conducted in 2022 to assess fish populations. The previous survey was conducted in 2018.
Walleye were sampled in gill nets at a rate of 6 fish per net, typical for the lake relative to historical catches. The 2.1-pound average was also similar to previous surveys and is higher than in many similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 8.5 to 24.8 inches and averaged 17.4. Otolith aging assigned all year classes except 2021 to stocking years. While these yearlings may have been naturally reproduced, 600,000 Walleye fry were stocked in the connected North Center Lake in 2021.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Norther Pike catch, 5.3 per gill net, remained similar to the previous 6 assessments. As with the Walleye catch, pike were a little more abundant than in many similar lakes. Fish ranged from 19 to 39 inches in length with over half the catch exceeding 26 inches. Despite the size quality, half the pike catch was less than 5 years of age.
Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 46.6 fish per trap net which was also similar to the past 6 catches. Size showed an uptick to a quarter pound average with more than half the catch over 7 inches. Despite the abundance of harvestable sized fish, few (<1%) exceeded 8 inches, likely a function of angler harvest.
Likewise, the Black Crappie catch rate remained consistent to the catches dating back to 1995. Trap netting was done in May to hopefully sample a more representative size of crappie. Seventy percent of this catch was longer than 8 inches. Although fish better than 10 inches were present only 16% made the 9-inch mark.
Nighttime electrofishing was conducted in mid-June to assess the Largemouth Bass population. Fish were sampled at a rate of 62 per hour which is a decrease from the previous survey and the lowest rate to date. Most adult bass were more than 12 inches long but like in the 2018 sample, fish over 17 inches were absent.
Anglers visiting can expect quality sized Walleye, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. Plenty of harvestable crappie and sunfish are also present. At times fishing pressure can be high but the public access is large. Non-native invasive vegetation is present in South Lindstrom Lake. Eurasian Watermilfoil was first documented in the fall of 2009 and Curlyleaf Pondweed has been present since at least 1969. Anglers and boaters should take necessary precautions to prevent the further spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
South Lindstrom Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on South Lindstrom 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 Lindstrom Lake (trailer launch)
- South Lindstrom Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
South Lindstrom Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- North Lindstrom Lake · 142 ac · 1 mi
- South Center Lake · 910 ac · 1.8 mi
- Chisago Lake · 944 ac · 1.9 mi
- Kroon Lake · 193 ac · 2 mi
- North Center Lake · 749 ac · 2.3 mi
- Sunrise Lake · 796 ac · 3.2 mi
- Little Lake · 168 ac · 3.7 mi
- Green Lake · 1,810 ac · 4.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is South Lindstrom Lake?
South Lindstrom Lake reaches 34 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 17.3 ft; about 46% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is South Lindstrom Lake?
South Lindstrom Lake covers 455 acres with about 3.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in South Lindstrom Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on South Lindstrom Lake average 6.7 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in South Lindstrom Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is South Lindstrom Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does South Lindstrom Lake have a public access?
Yes. South Lindstrom Lake has 2 public access sites, including South Lindstrom Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in South Lindstrom 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 1995.
When was South Lindstrom Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed South Lindstrom Lake in 2022, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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