Minnesota · Watonwan County
St. James Lake Fishing guide
St. James Lake is a 203-acre lake in Watonwan County, Minnesota, reaching 15.4 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 2.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2.3per gill net19"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 27 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 10 fish
2025Lengths measured · 3 fish
2023Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 14 fish
2021Lengths measured · 8 fish
2017Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassJust a few17.9per hr (electrofishing)15"Typical21"Biggest
Lengths measured · 51 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 28 fish
2025Lengths measured · 23 fish
2021Lengths measured · 43 fish
2017Lengths measured · 30 fish
2015Northern pikeOne of the best around20per gill net22"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 90 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 61 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2023Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 28 fish
2021Lengths measured · 41 fish
2017BluegillFair numbers34.5per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 999 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 80 fish
2025Lengths measured · 118 fish
2023Lengths measured · 801 fish
2021Lengths measured · 433 fish
2017CrappieJust a few1per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 46 fish
2025Lengths measured · 12 fish
2023Lengths measured · 22 fish
2021Lengths measured · 22 fish
2017Yellow perchExcellent numbers15per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 71 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023 + 2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2023Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 55 fish
2021Lengths measured · 44 fish
2017Rates 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 St. James Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 2.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 100% 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. A 15.4-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2.8 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. With 100% 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. A 15.4-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 29" | 24" | 21" |
| 2023 | 23" | 22" | — |
| 2021 | 30" | 26" | 17" |
| 2017 | 29" | 26" | 21" |
| 2015 | 29" | 18" | 18" |
| 2011 | 27" | 19" | 15" |
| 2007 | 35" | 22" | 16" |
| 2005 | 31" | 19" | 11" |
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:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Trolling
Muskie Trolling (big cranks)
8–10" large diving crankbait rated for the target depth
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 548 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,312 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 222 fingerlings · 136 adults |
| 2021 | Walleye | 430 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 332 yearlings · 277 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 528 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
St. James Lake is a 252-acre, class 42 lake located in the City of St. James in Watonwan County. The Lake has a maximum depth of 15.4 ft. Winterkills in the mid-1990's suppressed gamefish populations, allowing rough fish to thrive, eventually changing the lake from a clear water state to a turbid state. In 2001, a rotenone reclamation was done on St. James Lake to eliminate rough fish populations, reestablish the clear water state, and reestablish gamefish populations. The project was successful; however, overtime non-desirable fish have made their way back into St. James Lake. St. James Lake is managed primarily for Largemouth Bass and Bluegill and secondarily for Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie and Yellow Perch. A survey was conducted in the week of June 3, 2025 to monitor fish populations using gill nets and trap nets.
Since the reclamation in 2001, Largemouth Bass catch rates have varied from 9.0 per hour (2011) to 394.0 per hour (2003) and have averaged 89.7 per hour since 2003. In 2025, the Largemouth Bass catch rate was 33.0 per hour, which is like catch rates observed in the last decade (9.0 to 40.5 per hour). Lengths of Largemouth Bass ranged from 3.8 to 21.2 inches and averaged 15.0 inches. The management goals was met because the catch rate exceeded 30.0 per hour.
Read the full DNR narrative
Bluegill catch rates in St. James Lake have varied from 1.3 per trap net in 2013 to 101.9 per trap net in 2003 and have averaged 31.2 per trap net since 1986. In 2025, the Bluegill catch rate was 6.3 per trap net, within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.9 to 29.5 per trap net), but much lower than the 2021 catch rate of 84.1 per trap net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 4.8 to 8.6 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. Condition of Bluegill was high, as the mean relative weight was 97, indicating that forage is available. The management goal was not met because the desired catch rate was not attained (10.8 per trap net).
Since the reclamation, Walleye catch rates have varied from 0.0 in 2017 to 13.3 in 2007 and have averaged 3.6 per gill net. In 2025, the Walleye catch rate was 1.0 per gill net, a decrease from the 2021 catch rate of 3.5 per gill net. Lengths of Walleye ranged from 8.3 to 24.0 inches and averaged 16.1 inches. Walleye stocking has been extensive at St. James Lake as fingerlings, yearlings or adults have been stocked annually since 2020, except for 2023. Stocking advance sized Walleye likely provides a quality put and take fishery at St. James Lake.
St. James Lake continues to have an abundant Northern Pike population. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of 27.5 per gill net was the second highest catch rate at St James Lake, exceeding the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.5 to 7.0 per gill net). Since 2011, Northern Pike catch rates have ranged from 12.5 per gill net in 2021 to 31.3 per gill net in 2011. Northern Pike lengths ranged from 17.5 to 29.2 inches and averaged 22.1 inches. Twenty-six percent of the Northern Pike sampled were of a harvestable size (24.0-inch minimum length in the Southern Zone). The mean relative weight of Northern Pike was 89, which means that their condition is average, and they are foraging successfully. The management goal was met because a fishable population of Northern Pike was present.
Yellow Perch catch rates have varied from 2.7 per gill net in 2003 to 67.3 per gill net in 2011 and have averaged 19.8 per gill net since 1986. In 2025, Yellow Perch was captured at a rate of 5.0 per gill net, which is near the lower end of expected catch rates for similar 42 lakes (3.0 per gill net). Lengths of Yellow Perch ranged from 4.9 to 9.5 inches and averaged 6.3 inches (PSD=13). The management goal was met because a fishable population of Yellow Perch was present. range of catch rates for class 42 lakes (1.5 to 14.7 per gill net) and is the second highest catch rate observed at St. James Lake. Historically, Black Crappie has occurred in low abundance except for a high catch rate in 1999. Lengths of Black Crappie were small, ranging in length from 5.0 to 10.5 inches and averaging 6.5 inches (PSD=10). The management goal was met because a fishable population of Black Crappie was present.
One Channel Catfish was sampled in 2021, marking the first time that one was sampled since before the reclamation in 2001. No Channel Catfish were sampled in 2025. Common Carp have been observed during various electrofishing surveys in recent years. In 2021, three Common Carp were captured during the electrofishing survey, the first documented sample since the 2021 reclamation. In 2025, The gill net catch rate of Common Carp was 8.5, providing evidence that natural reproduction occurred in St. James Lake. Twenty years of keeping Common Carp out of the lake would likely be considered a success by most fisheries professionals. Other species sampled included Black Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
St. James Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on St. James 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
- St. James Lake (SE) (trailer launch)
- St. James Lake Park/Tiell Park Campground Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
St. James Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Kansas Lake · 403 ac · 4.7 mi
- Long Lake · 263 ac · 4.8 mi
- Hanska Lake · 1,795 ac · 11.8 mi
- Cedar Lake · 707 ac · 13.3 mi
- Mountain Lake · 230 ac · 14.8 mi
- Perch Lake · 174 ac · 14.9 mi
- Fedji Lake · 172 ac · 15 mi
- Clam Lake · 71 ac · 16.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is St. James Lake?
St. James Lake reaches 15.4 ft at its deepest point; about 100% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is St. James Lake?
St. James Lake covers 203 acres with about 3.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in St. James Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on St. James Lake average 2.8 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in St. James Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is St. James Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does St. James Lake have a public access?
Yes. St. James Lake has 2 public access sites, including St. James Lake (SE) (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in St. James Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 30"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2005.
When was St. James Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed St. James Lake in 2025, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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