Minnesota Fishing Guide

School Section

Stearns County, Minnesota — DOW #73003500

80 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

School Section has confirmed populations of:

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

210.54
Acres
14 ft
Max Depth
8.5 ft
Mean Depth
8
Fish Species
4
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on School Section. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-25 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.22 lb 12
2018-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.34 lb 8
2008-06-30 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.09 lb 11
2008-06-30 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.11 lb 1
1978-07-16 Standard gill nets 21.0 (above normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.19 lb 21
1978-07-16 Standard trap nets 10.0 (above normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.18 lb 30
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 12.7 (above normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.24 lb 38
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.8 – 6.5 0.30 lb 1

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-25 Standard gill nets 14.7 (above normal) 4.6 – 11.6 2.15 lb 88
2018-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.3 — 2.94 lb 12
2008-06-30 Standard gill nets 11.5 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 2.45 lb 69
2008-06-30 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 3.09 lb 3
1978-07-16 Standard gill nets 20.0 (above normal) 4.6 – 11.6 2.45 lb 20
1978-07-16 Standard trap nets 2.7 — 0.53 lb 8
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 5.3 (normal) 4.6 – 11.6 3.85 lb 16

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.9 – 57.5 1.10 lb 4
2018-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.96 lb 3
2008-06-30 Standard trap nets 22.1 (above normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.50 lb 199
2008-06-30 15-ft beach seine 5.7 — — 40
2008-06-30 Standard gill nets 75.0 (above normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.57 lb 450
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 26.8 (above normal) 1.1 – 17.4 0.53 lb 107
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 64.0 (above normal) 1.9 – 57.5 0.55 lb 192

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 0.20 lb 9
2018-08-29 Backpack electrofishing 1.3 — — 1
2018-08-29 50-ft beach seine 1.4 — — 13
2008-06-30 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.09 lb 1
2008-06-30 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 1
2008-06-30 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 0.61 lb 2
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 8.0 — 0.18 lb 24
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 111.5 — 0.20 lb 446

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-25 Standard trap nets 200.4 (above normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.01 lb 1804
2018-06-25 Standard gill nets 10.5 — 0.05 lb 63
2018-08-29 Backpack electrofishing 15.2 — — 12
2018-08-29 50-ft beach seine 67.8 — — 610
2008-06-30 15-ft beach seine 65.1 — — 456
2008-06-30 Standard gill nets 7.3 — 0.06 lb 44
2008-06-30 50-ft beach seine 259.0 — — 259
2008-06-30 Standard trap nets 42.4 (above normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.05 lb 382
1978-07-16 Standard trap nets 3.3 (normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.17 lb 10
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 33.7 — 0.28 lb 101
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 82.0 (above normal) 2.5 – 25.0 0.27 lb 328

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.6 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.26 lb 5
2018-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.76 lb 2
2018-08-29 50-ft beach seine 0.1 — — 1
1978-07-16 Standard trap nets 3.7 (normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.16 lb 11
1978-07-16 Standard gill nets 5.0 (below normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.24 lb 5
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.5 0.20 lb 2
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 131.7 (above normal) 8.0 – 40.3 0.12 lb 395

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.34 lb 1
2018-06-25 Standard electrofishing 180.1 — 1.65 lb 310
2018-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.7 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.32 lb 10
2018-08-29 Backpack electrofishing 1.3 — — 1
2018-08-29 50-ft beach seine 2.3 — — 21
2008-06-30 15-ft beach seine 4.4 — — 31
2008-06-30 Standard electrofishing 38.1 — 1.19 lb 37
2008-06-30 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.68 lb 5
2008-06-30 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.10 lb 1
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 0.9 0.15 lb 2

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-25 Standard trap nets 6.1 (normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.17 lb 55
2018-08-29 Backpack electrofishing 2.5 — — 2
2018-08-29 50-ft beach seine 2.7 — — 24
2008-06-30 15-ft beach seine 0.7 — — 5
2008-06-30 Standard gill nets 2.5 — 0.07 lb 15
2008-06-30 50-ft beach seine 4.0 — — 4
2008-06-30 Standard trap nets 1.3 (below normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.05 lb 12
1978-07-16 Standard gill nets 18.0 — 0.19 lb 18
1978-07-16 Standard trap nets 202.3 (above normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.16 lb 607
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 4.0 — 0.21 lb 12
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 23.8 (above normal) 1.4 – 8.6 0.17 lb 95

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-08-29 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 3
2008-06-30 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.3 0.18 lb 1
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 13.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.3 0.15 lb 39
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 0.10 lb 1

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2018-08-29 Backpack electrofishing 2.5 — 2

Mimic Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2008-06-30 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — 1

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1978-07-16 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.38 lb 5
1978-07-16 Standard trap nets 17.0 (above normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.57 lb 51
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 11.3 (above normal) 0.6 – 5.0 0.32 lb 34
1990-06-26 Standard trap nets 94.0 (above normal) 1.8 – 7.2 0.32 lb 376

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1990-06-26 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.0 – 5.5 1.50 lb 1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Fletcher's Bait Shop

Sauk Centre, MN

(320) 352-2155

★ 4.8

Sierra

St Cloud, MN

(320) 253-5194

★ 4.5

Albion Acres Bait

Annandale, MN

★ 5

All Seasons Sports

Delano, MN

(763) 972-3112

★ 4.8

Captain Jack Lures

Buffalo, MN

Cedar Mills Outfitters

Hutchinson, MN

(320) 583-6075

★ 4.3

Cenex

Buffalo, MN

(763) 682-6512

★ 4.5

Clear Waters Outfitting Company

Clearwater, MN

(320) 558-8123

★ 4.8

Nearby Marinas

BK's Dock's

Cold Spring, MN

(612) 597-3914

★ 5

Butler Park

St Cloud, MN

★ 4.2

Channel Marine & Sports Inc

Richmond, MN

(320) 597-5975

★ 4.3

Lake George Boat House

St Cloud, MN

(320) 257-5959

★ 5

Marina E. Bahmer, CNS

St Cloud, MN

(320) 252-5010

Miller Marine

St Cloud, MN

(320) 434-8389

★ 4.7

Resorts & Lodges Near School Section

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near School Section.

Loch Nest Resort
Fishing Resort Kimball

320-271-6880
Maple Hill Resort
Fishing Resort South Haven

(612) 590-3630
Ruegemer's Island View Resort, Inc.
Fishing Resort Richmond

(320) 597-2000
Aunt Kay's Cabin
Fishing Resort Richmond

(320) 266-2802

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit School Section. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near School Section

Central MN Fishing Adventures
Fishing Guide

(320) 266-8238
J Rev Outdoors LLC
Fishing Guide

(320) 761-0685
predator guide service
Fishing Guide

(320) 253-7535
Slab Seeker Fishing Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(320) 428-5174

Other Lakes in Stearns County

Achman

46.91 acres

Beaver

111.91 acres

Becker

221.38 acres

Big Fish

557.31 acres

Big Spunk

415.27 acres

Big

457.67 acres

Plan Your Trip to School Section

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.