Lotus

Lotus is a 245-acre (182 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 29 feet. Lotus is located north of Chanhassen in northeastern Carver County. Lotus is primarily managed for Walleye and Largemouth Bass but also supports catchable populations of Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike. Walleye fingerlings are stocked in odd numbered years at a rate of 2 pounds per littoral acre (364). Public water access (concreate ramp; up to 10 vehicle/trailer parking spaces) is located on the southeast side of the lake off state highway 101 and is maintained by the City of Chanhassen. A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was conducted on Lotus Lake during the week of 6/30/2025 to monitor water characteristics and fish populations. Water color was brown/green, with moderate water clarity, measured at 8 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen fell to zero parts per million at 20 feet, meaning fish would be unable to use water depths greater than 20 feet during mid-summer. Eurasian Watermilfoil, Brittle Naiad, and Zebra Mussels have been found in Lotus Lake and remain present, providing a good reminder of the clean, drain, dispose law which helps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species: Clean all aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other invasive species from boats, trailers, and water-related equipment. Drain water from your boat, ballast tanks, motor, live well and bait container. Remove drain plugs and keep drain plugs out while transporting equipment. Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. To keep live bait, drain the water and refill the bait container with bottled or tap water. High numbers of Walleye were sampled with gill nets (10.5/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. The 2025 catch rate was the highest recorded on Lotus Lake in the previous 30 years. There were 63 Walleye sampled in gill nets, with an average length of 18.8 inches and the largest measured at 25.8 inches. Size structure remains balanced (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Walleye growth in Lotus was fast early on and slowed at older ages, indicated by an average length of 17.5 inches by age 3 and 19.9 inches by age 6. High catch rates and desirable sizes should provide excellent angling opportunity for Walleye in Lotus Lake. Largemouth Bass are present in Lotus Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2025 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 11 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 12.1 inches and the largest measured at 16.4 inches. Very high numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (213.4/net), well above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 1,921 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2025 survey, with an average length of 6.0 inches and the largest measured at 8.1 inches. Despite extremely high numbers of Bluegill, nearly 20% of fish sampled were greater than 7 inches. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (5.8/net) and trap nets (10.6/net), near the expected catch rate for both gears. There were 182 Black Crappie sampled during the 2025 survey, with an average length of 6.8 inches and the largest measured at 10.4 inches. The majority of Black Crappie (97%) measured less than 9 inches, providing little interest to anglers at their current size structure. Moderate numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (4.5/net) near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. Despite a modest number of pike sampled, the 2025 netting represents the highest catch rate of Northern Pike on Lotus Lake in the previous 30 years. There were 27 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 26.0 inches and the largest measured at 32.8 inches. Despite increasing numbers, Northern Pike size structure remains at desirable levels. Other fish species sampled during the survey include Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Lotus Lake is a 245-acres (182 littoral acres) with a maximum depth of 29 feet. Lotus is located north of Chanhassen in northeastern Carver County. Lotus is primarily managed for Walleye and Largemouth Bass, but also supports catchable populations of Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch. Public water access is provided by the City of Chanhassen on the south side of the lake off of State Highway 101 (up to 10 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was conducted on Lotus Lake during the week of 7/6/2021 to assess the fishery. During the 2021 survey, Lotus was productive (brown-green stained water), with moderate water clarity, measured at 5 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was zero parts per million (ppm) below 13 feet during the survey period. Eurasian Watermilfoil, Brittle Naiad, and Zebra Mussels has been found in Lotus Lake and remain present. Walleye in Lotus Lake are maintained through fingerling stocking in odd numbered years. During the 2021 survey, Walleye were captured at high numbers (9.5/net); the highest catch rate in the previous 27 years. There were 57 Walleye sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 15.7 inches and the largest measured at 24.2 inches. Walleye size indices describe a balanced population (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Growth rates were fast compared to the statewide average, with an average length of 12.3 inches by age 2. The 2021 survey results show Lotus exceeding abundance and size goals, providing desirable angling opportunity. Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring 2021 with nighttime boat electrofishing; the first time this type of sampling has been completed on Lotus. Catch rates were moderate, with 34.4 fish/hour. A total of 63 bass were sampled, with an average length of 12.6 inches and the largest measured at 19.0 inches. High numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (79.7/net). There were 717 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2021 survey, with an average length of 5.5 inches and the largest measured at 7.9 inches. Bluegill size indices describe a population skewed towards smaller individuals. High Bluegill densities and competition among other Bluegill are likely reducing growth potential and keeping sizes low. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (8.5/net) and trap nets (14.6/net), near the expected catch rates of similar metro lakes. There were 182 Black Crappie sampled during the 2021 survey, with an average length of 7.2 inches and the largest measured at 15.0 inches. Black Crappie in Lotus Lake are mainly composed of small individuals with only 32% of fish sampled greater than 8 inches. However, the presence of a single crappie greater than 15" shows that lake conditions exist that have the potential to grow fish to trophy size. Low numbers of Yellow Perch were sampled with gill nets (2.2/net). There were 13 Yellow Perch sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 7.1 inches and the largest measured at 8.9 inches. While providing little value to anglers, Yellow Perch in Lotus Lake play an important role in the diets of Walleye. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Brown Bullhead, Northern Pike, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. With multiple invasive species found in Lotus Lake, anglers can help stop the spread by following three steps every time they leave a lake or river - whether or not it's infested: Clean all aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other invasive species from boats, trailers, and water-related equipment. Drain water from your boat, ballast tanks, motor, live well and bait container. Remove drain plugs and keep drain plugs out while transporting equipment. Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. To keep live bait, drain the water and refill the bait container with bottled or tap water.

Lotus is a 246-acre, Class 24 lake located in Chanhassen in Carver County. It is primarily managed for Walleye and Largemouth Bass. A Standard Survey was conducted during mid-July 2015 to assess the gamefish populations in the lake. Walleye abundance was moderately high; the catch rate of 6.2 fish per gill net was between the median and 75th percentile for this Lake Class. Twenty-nine percent of the fish exceeded 15 inches, and 6 percent exceeded 20 inches. Mean length and weight in gill nets were 15.1 inches and 1.24 lbs, with the largest fish measuring 24.5 inches. Bluegill were moderately abundant in 2015; the catch rate of 44.0 fish per trap net was between the median and 75th percentile for this Lake Class. Ninety-three percent of the fish were 6 inches or greater, and 16 percent were 7 inches or greater. The largest measured- from all sampling-was 7.8 inches. Mean length and weight were 6.6 inches and 0.22 lbs. An abundance of small-sized Black Crappie were caught in the gill nets. The catch rate of 36.8 fish per net is more than double the 75th percentile for this Lake Class. The average size of fish was 4.6 inches and 0.05 pounds; 96 percent of the fish were smaller than 5 inches. The largest gill netted Black Crappie was 8.8 inches. Yellow Perch abundance appears to be decreasing, from a high of 181 fish per gill net in 1999 to a low of 1.4 fish per gill net in the 2015 assessment. Compared to other Class 24 lakes, 1.4 fish per gill net is considered low (below the first quartile). Mean size (0.14 lbs) has improved over the previous assessments; however it is average (near to the median of 0.13 lbs) compared to other Class 24 lakes. Yellow Perch were between 6 and 8.2 inches, averaging 7.2 inches. Similar to previous assessments, Northern Pike abundance was low. The catch rate of 1.4 fish per gill net was below the first quartile for this Lake Class. The fish tended to be large; average size was 25.1 inches and 4.11 pounds. The largest Northern Pike was 34.1 inches and 9.1 pounds. Other fishes sampled in low abundance were Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Lotus has a maximum depth of 29 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Lotus is from 2025.

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