Minnesota Fishing Guide

St. James

Watonwan County, Minnesota — DOW #83004300

187 Surveys
202.76
Acres
15.4 ft
Max Depth
0
12
Fish Species
0
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-07-16 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.5 – 7.0 3.55 lb 7
2007-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 5.43 lb 4
1991-06-10 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.5 – 7.0 3.58 lb 2
2017-06-05 Standard gill nets 18.5 (above normal) 1.5 – 7.0 3.50 lb 37
2017-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 2.67 lb 4
2011-04-11 Standard gill nets 31.3 (above normal) 1.5 – 7.0 0.95 lb 94
2011-04-11 Special trap nets 28.3 — 0.30 lb 255
2011-04-11 Standard trap nets 3.8 — 0.87 lb 34
2011-04-11 Backpack electrofishing 2.6 — — 1
1986-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.5 – 7.0 8.55 lb 2
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 7.55 lb 2
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.5 – 7.0 4.33 lb 7
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 2.29 lb 1
2005-07-13 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.5 – 7.0 5.01 lb 7
2005-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 4.68 lb 2
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 17.0 (above normal) 1.5 – 7.0 1.75 lb 51
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 0.9 — 1.42 lb 6
1995-06-12 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
2021-05-26 Standard gill nets 12.5 (above normal) 1.5 – 7.0 3.64 lb 25
2021-05-26 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 1.76 lb 4
2022-06-15 50-ft beach seine 0.1 — — 1

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-07-16 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.96 lb 2
2007-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.69 lb 1
1991-06-10 Standard gill nets 16.7 (normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.60 lb 50
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 2.2 (normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.64 lb 22
2017-06-05 Standard gill nets 43.5 (normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.29 lb 87
2017-06-05 Standard trap nets 84.9 (above normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.06 lb 764
2011-04-11 Backpack electrofishing 370.2 — — 142
2011-04-11 Standard gill nets 2.7 (below normal) 9.6 – 91.4 1.19 lb 8
1986-06-09 Standard gill nets 92.3 (above normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.54 lb 369
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 76.0 (above normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.20 lb 760
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 30.5 (normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.19 lb 244
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 99.0 (above normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.22 lb 297
2005-07-13 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.68 lb 1
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 3.6 (normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.75 lb 25
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 9.3 (below normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.08 lb 28
2021-05-26 Standard gill nets 22.0 (normal) 9.6 – 91.4 0.57 lb 44
2021-05-26 Standard trap nets 16.0 (normal) 2.2 – 60.5 0.45 lb 144
2022-06-15 Backpack electrofishing 3.6 — — 5
2022-06-15 50-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 6

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-07-16 Standard electrofishing 2.0 — 1.18 lb 2
2007-07-16 Standard gill nets 13.3 (above normal) 1.0 – 7.3 1.84 lb 40
2007-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.9 1.29 lb 2
1991-06-10 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 3.67 lb 4
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 1.4 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 4.37 lb 14
2017-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 3.35 lb 8
2011-04-11 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 1.55 lb 7
2011-04-11 Special trap nets 0.6 — — 5
1986-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.75 lb 2
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 1.1 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 0.48 lb 11
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 6.3 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 1.25 lb 19
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 1.1 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 0.89 lb 9
2005-07-13 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.50 lb 10
2005-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.9 1.74 lb 3
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 0.48 lb 6
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.9 2.09 lb 1
2021-05-26 Standard gill nets 3.5 (normal) 1.0 – 7.3 2.16 lb 7
2021-05-26 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 1.9 2.58 lb 7

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-07-16 Standard trap nets 55.1 (above normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.08 lb 496
2007-07-16 Standard electrofishing 2.0 — 0.45 lb 2
2007-07-16 Standard gill nets 16.0 — 0.23 lb 48
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 82.1 (above normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.19 lb 821
1991-06-10 Standard gill nets 9.0 — 0.22 lb 27
2017-06-05 Standard trap nets 44.4 (above normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.10 lb 400
2017-06-05 Standard gill nets 16.5 — 0.16 lb 33
2011-04-11 Backpack electrofishing 5.2 — — 2
2011-04-11 15-ft beach seine 32.5 — — 65
2011-04-11 Standard gill nets 4.3 — 0.29 lb 13
2011-04-11 Special trap nets 1.7 — — 15
2011-04-11 Standard trap nets 4.9 (normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.09 lb 44
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 58.2 (above normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.28 lb 582
1999-06-14 Survey seining 2.5 — — 10
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 5.5 (normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.22 lb 44
2005-07-13 Standard trap nets 23.2 (normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.20 lb 209
2005-07-13 Standard gill nets 22.0 — 0.25 lb 66
1995-06-12 Survey seining 22.3 — — 89
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.55 lb 1
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 10.9 (normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.21 lb 76
2021-05-26 Standard trap nets 84.1 (above normal) 1.9 – 29.5 0.06 lb 757
2021-05-26 Standard gill nets 22.0 — 0.16 lb 44
2022-06-15 Backpack electrofishing 70.9 — — 98
2022-06-15 50-ft beach seine 98.4 — — 787

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.17 lb 5
2007-07-16 Standard gill nets 9.3 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.18 lb 28
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.30 lb 1
1991-06-10 Standard gill nets 10.7 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.23 lb 32
2017-06-05 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.08 lb 4
2017-06-05 Standard gill nets 20.0 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.08 lb 40
2011-04-11 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.34 lb 8
2011-04-11 Backpack electrofishing 255.5 — — 98
2011-04-11 15-ft beach seine 53.0 — — 106
2011-04-11 Standard gill nets 67.3 (above normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.40 lb 202
2011-04-11 Special trap nets 5.4 — — 49
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 3.5 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.21 lb 35
1986-06-09 Standard gill nets 59.0 (above normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.30 lb 236
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.17 lb 2
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.22 lb 9
2005-07-13 Standard gill nets 14.3 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.28 lb 43
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 22.9 (above normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.16 lb 160
1995-06-12 Survey seining 34.8 — — 139
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 25.7 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.25 lb 77
2021-05-26 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 3.4 0.11 lb 6
2021-05-26 Standard gill nets 25.0 (normal) 3.0 – 26.5 0.11 lb 50
2022-06-15 50-ft beach seine 3.4 — — 27

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-07-16 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.2 1.30 lb 4
2007-07-16 Standard electrofishing 128.0 — 0.82 lb 128
2007-07-16 Standard gill nets 2.0 (above normal) 0.5 – 1.0 1.33 lb 6
1991-06-10 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 1.0 0.61 lb 2
2017-06-05 Standard electrofishing 40.5 — 2.83 lb 41
2017-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 1.0 4.07 lb 2
2011-04-11 Backpack electrofishing 57.4 — — 22
2011-04-11 15-ft beach seine 12.0 — — 24
2011-04-11 Standard electrofishing 9.0 — 1.55 lb 9
2011-04-11 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.0 2.20 lb 1
2011-04-11 Special trap nets 1.0 — — 9
2011-04-11 Standard trap nets 2.6 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.06 lb 23
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.27 lb 3
1999-06-14 Survey seining 0.5 — — 2
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.2 2.01 lb 1
2005-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.36 lb 1
2005-07-13 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.0 0.49 lb 1
1995-06-12 Survey seining 1.0 — — 4
2021-05-26 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.2 1.13 lb 1
2021-05-26 Standard electrofishing 24.0 — 1.23 lb 24
2022-06-15 50-ft beach seine 0.9 — — 7

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2007-07-16 Standard trap nets 10.7 (normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.15 lb 96
1991-06-10 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.18 lb 6
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 4.5 (normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.18 lb 45
2017-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.17 lb 1
2017-06-05 Standard trap nets 2.3 (below normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.27 lb 21
2011-04-11 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 2
2011-04-11 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.69 lb 7
2011-04-11 Special trap nets 1.7 — — 15
2011-04-11 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.42 lb 4
1986-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.30 lb 5
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 10.7 (normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.28 lb 107
1999-06-14 Survey seining 1.3 — — 5
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 21.3 (above normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.05 lb 64
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 29.4 (above normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.07 lb 235
2005-07-13 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.18 lb 1
2005-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.35 lb 4
1995-06-12 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.33 lb 1
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 1.3 (below normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.45 lb 9
2021-05-26 Standard gill nets 7.0 (normal) 1.5 – 14.7 0.18 lb 14
2021-05-26 Standard trap nets 0.9 (below normal) 2.4 – 15.1 0.23 lb 8
2022-06-15 Backpack electrofishing 0.7 — — 1
2022-06-15 50-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 6

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.19 lb 1
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 0.40 lb 2
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.15 lb 1
2005-07-13 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.27 lb 3
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.11 lb 1
2022-06-15 Backpack electrofishing 2.2 — — 3
2022-06-15 50-ft beach seine 0.1 — — 1

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1991-06-10 Standard gill nets 5.0 — 0.14 lb 15
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 4.6 (normal) 0.8 – 8.4 0.20 lb 46
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 6.1 (normal) 0.8 – 8.4 0.18 lb 61
1999-06-14 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
1995-06-12 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.47 lb 1
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 1.9 (normal) 0.8 – 8.4 0.18 lb 13

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.2 3.20 lb 1
2011-04-11 Special trap nets 0.1 — — 1
1986-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 7.4 2.16 lb 5

Common Carp

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1991-06-10 Standard trap nets 2.6 (normal) 1.0 – 3.6 4.41 lb 26
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 21.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 4.2 1.08 lb 63
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 9.4 (above normal) 1.0 – 3.6 2.54 lb 75
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 4.2 0.31 lb 1
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 1.0 – 3.6 2.64 lb 3
2021-05-26 Standard electrofishing 3.0 — — 3

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1986-06-09 Standard trap nets 1.7 (normal) 0.2 – 2.0 0.32 lb 17
2021-05-26 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 2.0 0.26 lb 1
2022-06-15 Backpack electrofishing 24.6 — — 34

Channel Catfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1986-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 4.60 lb 1
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.30 lb 1
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.68 lb 2
2021-05-26 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 2.54 lb 1

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 4.9 (normal) 1.4 – 6.6 0.26 lb 39
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 6.0 (normal) 1.0 – 6.0 0.23 lb 18

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1999-06-14 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 0.6 – 6.8 0.42 lb 9
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 5.8 (normal) 0.8 – 6.2 0.39 lb 46
1995-06-12 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.6 – 6.8 0.65 lb 4
1995-06-12 Standard trap nets 1.7 (normal) 0.8 – 6.2 0.70 lb 12

OSS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.03 lb 1
1999-06-14 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1

White Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1999-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 2.5 – 11.6 0.45 lb 1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 9 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

R & R Bait & Tackle

New Ulm, MN

(507) 354-5318

★ 4.2

Sommer Outdoors

Fairmont, MN

(507) 235-5225

★ 4.7

Tuttle Lake Bait

Ceylon, MN

(507) 848-1627

★ 5

Nearby Marinas

701 Properties LLC

New Ulm, MN

(507) 766-8141

★ 5

701 Properties LLC

New Ulm, MN

(507) 766-8141

701 Properties LLC

Sleepy Eye, MN

(507) 766-8141

★ 5

Boat House

Fairmont, MN

(507) 235-6931

★ 4.7

Hewitt Docks, Lifts & Pontoon Legs

Nicollet, MN

(507) 225-3421

★ 4.5

Minnesota River Access New Ulm

New Ulm, MN

★ 4.8

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit St. James. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillChannel CatfishCommon CarpGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedWalleyeYellow Perch

Other Lakes in Watonwan County

Butterfield

53.63 acres

Fedji

171.99 acres

Kansas

402.87 acres

Long

263.29 acres

Wood

559.35 acres

Plan Your Trip to St. James

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