Schuster

Otter Tail County

Near Luce

DOW: 56022100

BluegillExcellent · 75Black CrappieGood · 56Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 44-acre lake near Luce in Otter Tail County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 1991.

Fish Species (6)

Bluegill

Excellent · 75

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 208.3 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1991	208.25	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Crappie

Good · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.47 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1991	0.75	-	0.47 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.77 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per trap net · typical 0.3–1.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1991	1.50	-	0.77 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 50

Large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.21 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 0.5–3.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1991	1.75	-	0.21 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 40

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.44 lbs

Catch rate: 3.5 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 13, 1991	3.50	-	1.44 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 13, 1991	0.25	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap 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 13, 1991	0.75	-	1.27 lbs	Standard trap 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)

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

June 13, 1991Schuster Lake is included in class 28 of the MN DNR lake classification system. Other area lakes in this classification are: Fladmark, Twenty-One and…

Schuster Lake is included in class 28 of the MN DNR lake classification system. Other area lakes in this classification are: Fladmark, Twenty-One and German. The gill net catch rate of 3.5 northern pike per net lift was within the normal range; however, the average pounds per lift was below normal with individual pike averaging 1.4 pounds. Four year classes of pike were sampled, suggesting that adequate natural reproduction exists. Bluegill abundance is high as the trap net catch rate of 208.3 per net lift is five times greater than the upper limit of the normal range. Despite the high abundance of bluegill, the quality of the population is good with 34% measuring 7.0 inches or greater in length. Six consecutive year classes were documented, indicating that recruitment is consistent. Bluegill growth rates are very slow with an average length of 3.9 inches at age-IV. Natural reproduction of largemouth bass is documented by the presence of three year classes. Bass growth rates are slow with an average length of 9.3 inches at age-IV. Two year classes of black crappies were sampled and growth rates approximate statewide averages. The yellow perch gill net catch rate of 1.8 per net lift was below the normal range. The wide range of yellow perch lengths sampled suggest multiple year classes are present. Walleyes were not sampled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Schuster?

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

Is there public access at Schuster?

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

How deep is Schuster?

Schuster has a maximum depth of 80 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Schuster last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Schuster is from 1991. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Schuster have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Schuster?

No — Schuster 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.