Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay)
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay) is mapped to a depth of 15 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 458 acres in Todd County, Minnesota. Depths come from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1995.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 15 ft
- Survey year
- 1995
- Surface area
- 458 acres
- Shoreline
- 7.75 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 2% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Sauk Lake (S) Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site · 1 more
Additional depth details3 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–15 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 15 ft, 10 ft, 10 ft
Provenance
Sources: MN DNR Lake Bathymetric Contours, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 45.75069, -94.96379
- MN DNR lake ID
- 77015001
- Vertical exaggeration
- 3.0×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.3 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay) has a substantially developed setting, moderate open-water exposure, substantial nearby higher-volume roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Modest | 0.7 of 35 | 19% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (10% forest, 9% wetland; 53% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Good | 15.8 of 29 | mean fetch 1,229 m · 0% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · moderate open-water fetch |
| Motor & speed rules | Not modeled | — | Minnesota’s lake-by-lake motor, speed and no-wake rules are mostly county and city ordinances, not map data, so they are not part of the Minnesota index. Check local signage and ordinances before going out. |
| Public access | Good | 15.0 of 18 | 2 DNR public access sites · boat ramp · fishing pier |
| Road isolation | Modest | 1.6 of 18 | substantial nearby higher-volume roads · 22 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 21,509 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 2% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Limited — 10% forest and 9% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
- State water trail
- On a state water trail — Part of a designated Minnesota State Water Trail: Sauk River. · MN DNR State Water Trails
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys & active stocking17 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Common Carp
White Sucker
Shorthead Redhorse
About these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2023Gamefish Walleye 280 · Largemouth Bass 67 · Northern Pike 49 · Bowfin 1
Panfish Yellow Perch 2,288 · Black Crappie 318 · Bluegill 148
All survey species17 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
DNR stocking
state stocking record · 2016–2025Fish the Minnesota DNR has planted in this lake — what was added, distinct from what a survey netted above.
Infested waters listing
2 confirmedMussels & snails
Zebra MusselConfirmed in this water in 2018 (listed 2018).
Plants & algae
Flowering RushConfirmed in this water in 2009 (listed 2009).
How to identify invasive species in Minnesota lakes →
What does the infested waters list mean?
The Minnesota DNR lists a lake, river, pond or wetland as infested when it contains an aquatic invasive species that could spread to other waters, or when it is connected to a water where one is present. Activities such as bait harvest and water use are managed differently on infested waters. Check the current list before moving water, bait or equipment.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. List of Infested Waters, September 9, 2026. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay) — common questions
How deep is Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay)?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay) is 15 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay)?
Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay) covers about 458 acres in Todd County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay)?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, black bullhead, black crappie. The page lists all 17 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay)?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists 2 public access sites on Sauk Lake (Southwest Bay): Sauk Lake (S) Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Big Sauk Lake Fishing Pier (public fishing pier).
