South School Section

Washington County

Near Withrow

DOW: 82015100

Northern PikeGood · 67Largemouth BassGood · 50Hybrid SunfishAverage · 46

A 95-acre lake near Withrow in Washington County — best known for pike and bass. Last surveyed 1997.

Fish Species (10)

Northern Pike

Good · 67

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

22.2"

Avg Weight

2.75 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net · typical 2–10.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike25% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 75%Largest sampled 30"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	8.00	22.2"	2.75 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1997	0.56	22.2"	2.02 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1985	1.00	-	3.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Seining survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.1"

Avg Weight

0.01 lbs

Catch rate: 6.7 · Seining survey

Size of catchable largemouth bass83% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 17%Largest sampled 19"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	1.17	5.1"	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1997	0.22	5.1"	2.31 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 21, 1997	6.67	5.1"	0.01 lbs	Survey seining

Hybrid Sunfish

Average · 46

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.3"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 2.1 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	2.11	4.3"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 21, 1997	4.33	4.3"	-	Survey seining
Jul 21, 1997	0.83	4.3"	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Average · 39

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.8"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 17.5 per gill net · typical 1.7–17.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie1% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 99%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	9.56	5.8"	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 21, 1997	17.50	5.8"	0.13 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1985	162.00	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 28

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.5"

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 3.3 per trap net · typical 0.7–6.5 for a lake like this

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

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 6"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	4.00	4.5"	-	Survey seining
Jul 21, 1997	3.50	4.5"	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1997	3.33	4.5"	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Poor · 22

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

1.8"

Avg Weight

0.13 lbs

Catch rate: 10.9 per trap net · typical 3.5–57.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill1% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 99%Largest sampled 8"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	160.33	1.8"	-	Survey seining
Jul 21, 1997	12.17	1.8"	0.12 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1997	10.89	1.8"	0.13 lbs	Standard trap nets

Green Sunfish

Poor · 20

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.3"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable green sunfish0% keeper-size (7"+)

3–6" · 100%Largest sampled 4"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	1.00	3.3"	-	Survey seining
Jul 21, 1997	0.33	3.3"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1985	1.25	-	0.14 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (3)

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

Golden Shiner

Good · 73

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985

Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.08 lbs

Catch rate: 50.0 per gill net · typical 0.6–2.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1985	50.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1985	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

White Sucker

Good · 52

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

20.3"

Avg Weight

3.36 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	0.33	20.3"	3.36 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1997	0.11	20.3"	4.12 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1985	26.00	-	0.54 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

7.7"

Avg Weight

0.29 lbs

Catch rate: 5.8 per trap net · typical 1.5–58 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 1997	23.00	7.7"	0.24 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 1997	5.78	7.7"	0.29 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1985	30.00	-	0.12 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

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

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").

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

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 21, 1997The increased water level in South School Section lake has lead to more permenant fish population than in the past. The fish population had been chara…

The increased water level in South School Section lake has lead to more permenant fish population than in the past. The fish population had been characterized by frequent winterkill and dominance by black bullhead. The 1997 survey found a significant decrease in black bullhead, and significant increase in northern pike and bluegill since 1985. Largemouth bass seem to have increased in abundance also. Black crappie numbers have decreased, but are still the most abundant game species. Northern pike averaged 23 inches long, with several over 30 inches. There are local reports of occasional 15 to 20 pound northern pike being caught. Largemouth bass were between 5 and 20 inches long, with 13 to 15 inch fish the most abundant. Parasitization by neascus (black spot) is prevalent among northern pike and largemouth bass. Bluegills are generally small, with only 6% over 6 inches long. Black crappie are also generally small, but 30% were over 7 inches and about 10% were over 8 inches.

July 24, 1985NORTHERN PIKE BELOW AVERAGE. CRAPPIES OVERPOPULATD AND SMALL IN SIZE. NICE BASS WERE FOUND IN THE TRAPNETS.

NORTHERN PIKE BELOW AVERAGE. CRAPPIES OVERPOPULATD AND SMALL IN SIZE. NICE BASS WERE FOUND IN THE TRAPNETS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in South School Section?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed in South School Section. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at South School Section?

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

How deep is South School Section?

South School Section has a maximum depth of 26 feet and a mean depth of 15.6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in South School Section last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in South School Section is from 1997. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does South School Section have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on South School Section?

No — South School Section 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.