Saca

St. Louis County

Near Burntside Lake

DOW: 69029800

Largemouth BassGood · 50Northern PikeAverage · 43Yellow PerchPoor · 16

A 77-acre lake near Burntside Lake in St. Louis County — best known for bass and pike. Last surveyed 2013.

Fish Species (6)

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

11.7"

Avg Weight

1.10 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.9 for a lake like this

Size of catchable largemouth bass75% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 25%Largest sampled 15"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2013	3.00	11.7"	1.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 43

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

21.0"

Avg Weight

2.01 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 2–6.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2013	0.33	21.0"	2.01 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 16

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 2.2–14.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2013	0.33	6.0"	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.3"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2013	1.33	5.3"	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.5"

Avg Weight

0.05 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2013	0.67	3.5"	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 · 56

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013

Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution

Avg Size

16.3"

Avg Weight

2.32 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 3.6–14.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 8, 2013	5.33	16.3"	2.32 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best largemouth bass 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

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

July 8, 2013Saca Lake is located approximately 12 miles NW of Ely and is entirely within the BWCAW. It has a surface area of 73 acres and a maximum depth of 18 fe…

Saca Lake is located approximately 12 miles NW of Ely and is entirely within the BWCAW. It has a surface area of 73 acres and a maximum depth of 18 feet. The water clarity is poor with brown, bog stained water. Dissolved oxygen is adequate to a depth of 12 feet. Access is by portage from Crab Lake (95 rods) or Hassel Lake (80 rods). There is one designated USFS campsite located on the lake. Largemouth bass numbers in 2013 (3.0/gill net) were higher than average when compared to similar lakes in the area. The average largemouth sampled was 12.2 inches long and about 6 years old. The largest bass sampled was 15.9 inches long and 12 years old. White sucker was the most abundant fish species. Other fish species sampled in 2013 included bluegill, hybrid sunfish, and yellow perch. These species were sampled in relatively low numbers. Only one 21.6" northern pike was sampled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Saca?

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

Is there public access at Saca?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Saca. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Saca?

Saca has a maximum depth of 18 feet and a mean depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Saca last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Saca is from 2013. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Saca have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Saca?

No — Saca has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.