Sioux
A 71-acre lake near Squaw Lake in Itasca County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 2002.
Fish Species (9)
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 0.7–4.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2002 | 1.78 | 8.4" | 0.44 lbs |
| Aug 24, 1981 | 0.33 | - | 0.50 lbs |
| Aug 24, 1981 | 2.25 | - | 0.61 lbs |
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 10.7 per gill net · typical 1.9–19.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2002 | 1.89 | 7.1" | 0.26 lbs |
| Aug 19, 2002 | 10.67 | 7.1" | 0.19 lbs |
| Aug 24, 1981 | 5.25 | - | 0.38 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1981
Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 2.9–41.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 24, 1981 | 0.25 | - | 0.50 lbs |
Average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.5–1.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2002 | 0.33 | 9.0" | 0.49 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.3 per gill net · typical 2.7–9.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2002 | 2.33 | 16.6" | 1.49 lbs |
| Aug 19, 2002 | 0.78 | 16.6" | 0.79 lbs |
| Aug 24, 1981 | 3.00 | - | 1.39 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 3.8 per trap net · typical 1.5–7.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2002 | 0.67 | 5.3" | 0.04 lbs |
| Aug 19, 2002 | 3.78 | 5.3" | 0.23 lbs |
| Aug 24, 1981 | 1.00 | - | 0.50 lbs |
Other species in this lake (3)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 5.0 per trap net · typical 1.4–7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2002 | 1.33 | 8.4" | 0.41 lbs |
| Aug 19, 2002 | 5.00 | 8.4" | 0.40 lbs |
Typical numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.78 per trap net · typical 0.5–5.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2002 | 15.00 | 10.0" | 0.58 lbs |
| Aug 19, 2002 | 0.78 | 10.0" | 0.59 lbs |
| Aug 24, 1981 | 13.00 | - | 0.33 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 2002
Last surveyed 2002 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.7–16.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2002 | 21.33 | 8.8" | 0.43 lbs |
| Aug 19, 2002 | 0.11 | 8.8" | 0.51 lbs |
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)
Crappie
10 combined total
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
August 19, 2002Sioux Lake is a small panfish lake located in the northwest part of Itasca County about 5 miles southwest of Squaw Lake, MN. The access is very poor w…
Sioux Lake is a small panfish lake located in the northwest part of Itasca County about 5 miles southwest of Squaw Lake, MN. The access is very poor with little parking available. The entire shoreline of the lake has a fringe of wild rice. Northern pike were not abundant in the assessment and most were small. The average weight of those sampled was only 1.5 pounds. They ranged in length from 14.9-26.8 inches and had a mean length of 18.5 inches. Most of the northerns (73%) were aged at 2 and 3 years old. Bullheads were abundant with black bullheads dominating the catch at 21.3/gill net. Brown bu1lheads were sampled at 15.0/gill net while yellow bullheads were sampled at only 1.3/gill net. The high number of bullheads present and low numbers of gamefish suggests that partial winterkills may occasionally occur in the lake during severe winters. Black crappies were sampled in the trap nets at 1.8/set. Most were age 3-5 and averaged 8.8 inches. It takes a crappie in Sioux Lake 3 years to reach 6.6 inches. Yellow perch, largemouth bass and pumkinseed sunfish were also sampled in this assessment.
August 24, 1981Lake has a very good bullhead population. Northern pike are above average level. Sunfish and crappies are below average in abundance. There is also a…
Lake has a very good bullhead population. Northern pike are above average level. Sunfish and crappies are below average in abundance. There is also a very high perch population. The character of this fish population indicates low oxgyen levels are probably present during severe winters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Sioux?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike in Sioux. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Sioux?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Sioux. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Sioux?
Sioux has a maximum depth of 34 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Sioux last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sioux is from 2002. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Sioux have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Sioux in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
Are there special fishing regulations on Sioux?
No — Sioux has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.
More lakes in Itasca County
View all2,249 acres
Yellow Perch · Northern Pike
676 acres
Yellow Perch
160 acres
Yellow Perch
104 acres
Yellow Perch · Black Crappie · Northern Pike
78 acres
Yellow Perch · Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
62 acres
Yellow Perch · Black Crappie
Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 71.07 acres
- Max Depth
- 34 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.74 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed