Silica

St. Louis County

Near Burntside Lake

DOW: 69018700

Northern PikeGood · 62Smallmouth BassPoor · 5

A 43-acre lake near Burntside Lake in St. Louis County — best known for pike and bass. Last surveyed 1978.

Fish Species (5)

Northern Pike

Good · 62

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

3.50 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net · typical 3.9–9.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1978	1.00	-	3.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Poor · 5

Small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.4–1.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1978	0.67	-	0.05 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1978	0.33	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Green Sunfish

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.3–0.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1978	0.67	-	0.05 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.

White Sucker

Good · 54

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1978

Last surveyed 1978 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.92 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 2.6–17.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 22, 1978	5.33	-	1.92 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

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).

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 8, 2026

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

Sunfish

20 combined total

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

July 22, 1978Consists of an above average population of suckers, average populations of smallmouth bass and greenn sunfish, and below average populations of northe…

Consists of an above average population of suckers, average populations of smallmouth bass and greenn sunfish, and below average populations of northern pike and bluegill.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Silica?

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

Is there public access at Silica?

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

How deep is Silica?

Silica has a maximum depth of 16 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Silica last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Silica is from 1978. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Silica have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Silica?

No — Silica 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.