Riley

Lake Riley is a 296-acre lake with a maximum depth of 49 feet. The lake is located west of Eden Prairie, and Walleye are stocked each year by the lake association. During the summer of 2021, water clarity was neither extremely high nor extremely low, and the lake held good levels of dissolved oxygen to a depth of 32 feet. Zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil are present in Riley. In 2021, a special regulation for Bluegill and Crappie was implemented; anglers are now allowed to harvest only 5 fish of each species. The goal of the regulation is to reduce harvest of panfish so that they can live longer and grow to a larger size. A Standard Survey was conducted during the summer of 2021 to assess the gamefish populations. Walleye were caught in low numbers in 2021, and a broad range of sizes of fish were present. Annual Walleye stocking by the lake association began in 2015, and the fish in the 2021 survey give a snapshot of the population that those efforts have established. Fish lengths were between 9 and 26 inches, with an average of 18 inches. The presence of smaller fish shows that recent stockings have been successful. Although not highly abundant, Walleye are persisting in the lake. Northern Pike were sampled in high numbers in 2021, and fish size was good. Lengths were between 18 and 39 inches, with an average of 27 inches. A lot of the fish were in the 22 to 26 inch protected slot, and 40% of the catch exceeded 26 inches. Riley should provide quality Northern Pike fishing for both catch and release and harvest angling. Bluegill were moderately abundant and tended to be smaller in size. Fish lengths were between 2 and 8 inches, with a 5 inch average. Since Bluegill were not highly abundant in Riley, competition for food should not limit their growth. With a reduction in harvest from the new 5 fish possession limit, these fish will hopefully live longer, and attain greater size. It takes a Bluegill 8 years to reach 8 inches in Riley. Black Crappie were caught in low numbers, but size was good. Fish lengths were between 5 and 11 inches, with a 7 inch average. Twenty percent of the catch were larger than 9 inches. Yellow Bullhead were highly abundant in 2021. Fish lengths were between 8 and 12 inches, with a 10 inch average. Other fishes caught in low abundance included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch.

A survey of nearshore fish species was conducted on July 7, 2015 by IBI Program Staff. The survey consisted of 10 sampling stations evenly spaced around the lake. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 9 stations, a 50-foot seine was used at 9 stations, and 1 station was sampled with a 15-foot seine. Backpack electrofishing could not be completed a one station because of its proximity to an active swimming area. Nearshore sampling captured 10 species of fish, which included no intolerant species and 2 tolerant species (Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). The nearshore fish survey data was combined with gill net and trap net data from a June 2015 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. Lake Riley scored poorly with the FIBI compared to a threshold developed for similar lakes. The low score was driven by the low diversity of small benthic dwelling species, the low relative abundance of small benthic dwelling individuals captured, and the low relative abundance of intolerant individuals in the nearshore gear. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Lake Riley is located in the Lower Minnesota River Watershed.

Lake Riley is a 296-acre Class 24 lake with a maximum depth of 49 feet. The lake is located in Carver County, northeast of Chanhassen, MN. Stocking of Riley is funded by the lake association. Walleye fingerlings were stocked from 1997-2002, in 2004, 2006-2008, 2010 and 2015. (The 2015 stocking occurred after this survey was conducted.) Yellow Perch were stocked in 2012. Lake Riley is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass, and secondarily managed for Bluegill. In 2015, a Standard Survey was conducted to assess the gamefish populations. Northern Pike were highly abundant in 2015; the catch rate of 17.5 fish per gill net greatly exceeds the 75th percentile for this lake (7.3 fish per net). Fish are of quality size; 86% of the gill-netted fish exceeded 21 inches, and 12% exceeded 28 inches. The average Northern Pike was 24.1 inches and 3.23 pounds. The largest fish was 36.7 inches and 10.60 pounds. Bluegill were moderately abundant and size tended to be small. The catch rate of 11.4 fish per trap net falls between the 25th percentile and median for this Lake Class. Twelve percent of the sample exceeded 7 inches, and the largest trap-netted fish was 8.3 inches. The average Bluegill was 5.3 inches and 0.14 pounds. In 2015, Walleye were caught at a rate of 2.0 fish per gill net. This catch rate falls between the 25th percentile and median for Lake Class 24. Size structure was skewed to larger individuals; all of the sampled Walleye exceeded 15 inches, and 92% exceeded 20 inches. The average fish was 22.0 inches and 4.02 pounds. The largest fish was 26.7 inches and 6.46 pounds. Black Crappie were caught at a rate of 1.3 per gill net, which falls below the 25th percentile for this Lake Class. Sixty-three percent of the fish exceeded 8 inches, and the average size of gill-netted Black Crappie was 8.5 inches and 0.5 pounds. The largest fish caught was 14.4 inches and 1.79 pounds. Yellow Perch were moderately abundant in 2015, and size structure was skewed to small individuals. The catch rate of 6.0 fish per gill net falls between the 25th percentile and median for this Lake Class. Nineteen percent of the fish exceeded 8 inches, and the average size was 7.12 inches and 0.17pounds. The largest Yellow Perch was 8.7 inches and 0.28 pounds. Yellow Bullhead were highly abundant in the gill nets. The catch rate of 34.7 fish per net greatly exceeded the 75th percentile of 7.5 fish per net. All of the sampled fish exceeded 9 inches. The average size of Yellow Bullhead was 10.6 inches and 0.65 pounds. The largest fish was 14.0 inches and 1.3 pounds. Other fishes caught in low abundance included Black Bullhead, White Sucker, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, and Green Sunfish in Riley. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Riley. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Riley has a maximum depth of 49 feet and a mean depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Riley is from 2021.

Yes — Riley has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.