LivewellMinnesota · St. Louis County · Lake
West Sturgeon Lake
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for West Sturgeon Lake, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
Northeast Minnesota guidance (Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties) applies here
West Sturgeon Lake falls under Minnesota's regional guidance — 50 recommendations covering 24 species, stricter than the statewide rules for several — in addition to anything listed for West Sturgeon Lake below.
Strictest regional rule: Muskellunge — For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
See all Northeast Minnesota guidance (Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties) →
What's safe to eat from West Sturgeon Lake
Black Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Northern Pike
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 22" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Under 26" | Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 22" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 26" | Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
White Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Is it legal to keep?
These are Minnesota's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 54" min | 1 | 06-01 – 12-01 | Same as open |
| Largemouth Bass | — | 6 | Year-round | 05-24 – 02-25 |
| Smallmouth Bass | — | 6 | Year-round | 05-24 – 02-25 |
| Bluegill | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Lake Trout | — | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Minnesota — Minnesota DNR