Schaeffer

St. Louis County

Near Rollins

DOW: 69001800

Black CrappieAverage · 45PumpkinseedAverage · 35Northern PikePoor · 19

A 33-acre lake near Rollins in St. Louis County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1995.

Fish Species (7)

Black Crappie

Stocked 2022

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.7"

Avg Weight

0.28 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–10.7 for a lake like this

Stocked with fingerlings once · 2,000 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 11, 1995	0.50	3.7"	0.28 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 11, 1995	4.50	3.7"	0.02 lbs	Survey seining

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2022	fingerlings	2,000	50.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Pumpkinseed

Average · 35

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.4"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net · typical 0.4–2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 4"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 11, 1995	117.50	3.4"	-	Survey seining
Sep 11, 1995	1.80	3.4"	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Poor · 19

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.2"

Avg Weight

1.36 lbs

Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net · typical 3.9–9.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike0% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 100%Largest sampled 21"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 11, 1995	6.00	17.2"	1.36 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 11, 1995	1.30	17.2"	1.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 11, 1995	0.50	17.2"	-	Survey seining

Yellow Perch

Poor · 17

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.0"

Avg Weight

0.06 lbs

Catch rate: 1.5 per gill net · typical 2–23 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 11, 1995	1.20	3.0"	0.06 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 11, 1995	177.00	3.0"	-	Survey seining
Sep 11, 1995	1.50	3.0"	0.06 lbs	Standard gill nets

Walleye

Stocked 2022

Last Stocked

2022

Size Class

fingerlings

Total Fish

800

Frequency

once

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2022	fingerlings	800	32.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Bluegill

Stocked 2022

Last Stocked

2022

Size Class

fingerlings

Total Fish

2,000

Frequency

once

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2022	fingerlings	2,000	50.0	Private citizens and sporting groups

Other species in this lake (1)

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

White Sucker

Good · 55

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1995

Last surveyed 1995 — treat with caution

Avg Size

18.3"

Avg Weight

3.73 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net · typical 2.6–17.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 11, 1995	1.00	18.3"	-	Survey seining
Sep 11, 1995	2.00	18.3"	3.73 lbs	Standard gill nets
Sep 11, 1995	0.80	18.3"	7.75 lbs	Standard trap nets

See the best black crappie lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Northeast zone

Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released).

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

Northeast zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Not more than 1 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

September 11, 1995Results of the 1995 Schaeffer Lake survey indicate a fishery suited for smallmouth bass or walleye, but dominated by small northern pike. Schaeffer La…

Results of the 1995 Schaeffer Lake survey indicate a fishery suited for smallmouth bass or walleye, but dominated by small northern pike. Schaeffer Lake water levels fluctuate widely throughout the course of the year characterized by spring high water, fluctuating summer levels dependant on precipitation, and declining winter levels. Landowners around the lake reported that the rate of water level fluctuations can be very dramatic. This situation limits abundance of aquatic vegetation and in extreme cases could be the cause of severe winter-kill conditions. Landowners also reported that smallmouth bass were once present but disappeared after a particularly low winter water level event in the 1970's. Because currently, there is little escape cover for forage speceies such as black crappie, pumpkinseed and yellow perch, and a abundant-small northern pike population, the fishery appears to be very limited. The abundant northern pike population could limit the success of any efforts to stock species such as smallmouth bass or walleye and also limit improvement of the panfish fishery. Increasing escape cover through artificial means could reduce the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Schaeffer?

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

Is there public access at Schaeffer?

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

How deep is Schaeffer?

Schaeffer has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Schaeffer last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Schaeffer is from 1995. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Schaeffer have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Schaeffer?

No — Schaeffer 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.