Saylorville Lake

Saylorville Lake

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Size
5,435ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Saylorville Lake
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Crappie
Crappie
Northern pike
Northern pike
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Perch
Perch
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
White bass
White bass

Overview

Saylorville Lake Map

Features

During summer, recreation use is heavy, with large powerboats, sailboats, jet skis and fishing rigs. Many anglers fish the early morning hours due to the high daytime use from June through September. There are no special boating restrictions except for the beaches that are marked with buoys. Boaters are reminded to stay 100 yards or more from the outlet tower. Water levels change drastically. “Low water” describes near normal conditions while “high water” indicates levels from 25 to 55 feet above normal. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers an updated recorded telephone message on water levels, boat ramp accesses and flow rates. This information service, called “The Voice of Saylorville Lake” is reached by dialing 515-276-0433. The message does not include fishing reports.

Forage

Gizzard shad are the primary forage base. River shiner, emerald shiner, fathead minnow and bluntnose minnow comprise at to the diversity of the forage base. Juvenile panfish are also utilized.

Seasonal Movements

A small number of white bass and hybrid stripers (wipers) moving upstream in major tributaries during spring. White bass and wipers relate to long shallow points and sand flats during summer when spawning shad are available. Movements of all species can be considered seasonal and relate to river water level fluctuations.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
7-31 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
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
2021
Aug
Channel catfish
fish
7-31 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2021
Aug
View in the App
Crappie
fish
7-31 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2021
Aug
View in the App
Flathead catfish
fish
7-31 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2021
Aug
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Perch
fish
7-31 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2021
Aug
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
White bass
fish
7-31 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2021
Aug
View in the App

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