Vails Lake

Vails Lake

Size
149ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Vails Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Walleye
Walleye

Overview

Vails Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Location: Sauk River Chain of Lakes includes: Becker, Bolfing, Cedar Island, Eden, Great Northern, Horseshoe, Knaus, Krays, Long, Mud (Vails), North Brown, Schneider, Zumwalde.

  • Channel and Flathead Catfish: Combined possession limit 10, of which only 2 may be flathead catfish. One over 24” allowed in possession.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.5
0Statewide Range19.6

Vails Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2013
Jun
2018
Jun
Channel catfish
fish
21-32 in
Length Range
27 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2013
Jun
2018
Jun
Crappie
fish
6-13 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
7.5
0Statewide Range12.66

Vails Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2013
Jun
2018
Jun
Largemouth bass
fish
9-19 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2003
Jun
2013
Jun
2018
Jun
Northern pike
fish
13-31 in
Length Range
24 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
8.33
0Statewide Range19.75

Vails Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2013
Jun
2018
Jun
Perch
fish
5-9 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
36
0Statewide Range43.58

Vails Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2013
Jun
2018
Jun
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-8 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.17
0Statewide Range6.18

Vails Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2003
Jun
2013
Jun
2018
Jun
Walleye
fish
19-26 in
Length Range
22 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.17
0Statewide Range16.93

Vails Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2013
Jun
2018
Jun