Schilling
A 763-acre lake near New Auburn in Sibley County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2009.
Fish Species (8)
Large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2009
Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 8.0 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2009 | 8.00 | 23.3" | 3.05 lbs |
Small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2009
Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 32.6 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2009 | 32.60 | 6.6" | 0.08 lbs |
Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2009
Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.6 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2009 | 0.60 | 4.3" | 0.07 lbs |
Other species in this lake (5)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2009
Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 20.2 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2009 | 20.20 | 6.8" | 0.08 lbs |
Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2009
Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.6 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2009 | 0.60 | 6.3" | 0.19 lbs |
Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2009
Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 16.0 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2009 | 16.00 | 7.3" | 0.50 lbs |
Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2009
Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.2 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2009 | 0.20 | 11.0" | 0.55 lbs |
Trap-net survey · surveyed Apr 2009
Last surveyed 2009 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.4 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2009 | 0.40 | 5.0" | 0.06 lbs |
Fishing Regulations
Statewide limits
Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.
Northern Pike
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Southern zone
Angling: 2 (Minimum size 24").
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
Southern zone
Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Minimum size 24").
Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers
no limit
Bullhead
100
This lake is near a regulation-zone boundary — verify the zone on the DNR map.
Biologist Notes
April 9, 2009Ice-out trap netting, or shortly after, was conducted on 4/9/09 to look at Schilling's northern pike population. Single frame 3/4" trap nets (5) were…
Ice-out trap netting, or shortly after, was conducted on 4/9/09 to look at Schilling's northern pike population. Single frame 3/4" trap nets (5) were set and lifted the following day. Fish were measured, but not weighed. Light spearing pressure was observed at Schilling Lake during the 2008-2009 winter. Schilling has a history of winterkill, but little offical documentation has been done. The lake was most recently opened to liberalized fishing in 2001. This (2009) was the first formal netting for Schilling Lake. Trap nets sampled 40 northern pike for a catch rate of 8.0/net. Northern pike were 12.2 to 29.7 inches long averaging 23.8 inches. Approximately 90% of the catch was 21 inches or longer. Trap nets sampled 163 yellow perch for a catch rate of 32.6/net. Yellow perch were the most abundant fish sampled. Yellow perch were 3.9 to 9.4 inches long averaging 7.0 inches. Approximately 23% of the catch was 8 inches or longer. Net catches indicated that quality fishing opportunities can exist at Schilling Lake, at least between years of winterkill. Bigmouth buffalo (20), black bullhead (101), carp (80), golden shiner (2), green sunfish (3), orange spotted sunfish (29), tadpole madtom (1), white sucker (1), and yellow bullhead (3) were also sampled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Schilling?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike and Yellow Perch in Schilling. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Schilling?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Schilling. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is Schilling?
Schilling has a maximum depth of 7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Schilling last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Schilling is from 2009. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does Schilling have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for Schilling in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
Are there special fishing regulations on Schilling?
No — Schilling 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.
More lakes in Sibley County
View allLake Details
- Surface Area
- 763.44 acres
- Max Depth
- 7 ft
- Shoreline
- 9.21 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed