Sawyer

Itasca County

Near Marcell

DOW: 31034800

BluegillExcellent · 75Northern PikeGood · 60Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 137-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1980.

Fish Species (5)

Bluegill

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 26.0 per trap net · typical 3.1–24.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1980	26.00	-	0.29 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 24, 1980	11.83	-	0.36 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Good · 60

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

5.00 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per gill net · typical 2.8–10 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1980	0.17	-	5.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.86 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1980	2.25	-	0.86 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 24, 1980	4.83	-	0.88 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 6.5 per gill net · typical 2.5–23.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1980	6.50	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 24, 1980	0.50	-	0.50 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 24, 1980	0.17	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 24, 1980LM Bass and Bluegill populations are well above local medians. Very few other fish present.

LM Bass and Bluegill populations are well above local medians. Very few other fish present.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Sawyer?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Bluegill, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in Sawyer. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Sawyer?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Sawyer. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Sawyer?

Sawyer has a maximum depth of 15 feet and a mean depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Sawyer last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sawyer is from 1980. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Sawyer have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Sawyer in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Sawyer?

No — Sawyer has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.