Auburn

Auburn is a 290-acre (158 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 84 feet. Auburn is located west of Victoria, MN in northern Carver County. Auburn is primarily managed for Northern Pike, but also supports catchable populations of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. Public water access is provided by DNR Parks and Trails on the north side of the west basin of the lake (up to 12 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was conducted on Auburn Lake during the week of 6/27/2022 to assess the fishery. Auburn Lake is divided into an east and west basin, connected through a narrow cattail channel. Both basins had moderate water clarity, measured at 7 feet (west basin) and 5 feet (east basin) during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was 0 parts per million (ppm) below 52 feet (west basin) and 14 feet (east basin) during the survey period. Eurasian Watermilfoil has been found in Auburn Lake and remains present. High numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (10.8/net). There were 65 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 24.1 inches and the largest measured at 31.5 inches. Size and catch data describes a balanced population (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Despite high numbers, Northern Pike growth was moderate compared to similar lakes across the metro, with an average length of 18.3 inches by age 3, and 23.0 inches by age 5. Recruitment was consistent with six consecutive year classes present during sampling and age analysis. High numbers and above average sizes should provide excellent angling opportunity for Northern Pike. Largemouth Bass are present in Auburn Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2022 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught one Largemouth Bass, measuring 13 inches. Future surveys will include a targeted spring boat-electrofishing component. High numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (46.0/net). The 2022 catch rate was the highest Bluegill catch rate on Auburn Lake in the previous 25 years. There were 414 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2022 survey, with an average length of 5.7 inches and the largest measured at 7.9 inches. High numbers of Bluegill are likely increasing competition among other Bluegill and in-turn growth rates and sizes remain slow/small. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (10.5/net) and trap nets (3.7/net), near the expected catch rate of other metro lakes. There were 96 Black Crappie sampled during the 2022 survey, with an average length of 7.1 inches and the largest measured at 13.1 inches. Despite a small average size, with only 7% of crappie sampled greater than 9 inches, the presence of a single fish greater than 13 inches shows a lot of promise for the Black Crappie fishery. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted on June 17, 2019 by Fisheries Lake IBI program staff. Sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 stations with five sites sampled from the boat due to site conditions. A 15-foot seine was used to sample six stations and four sampling stations had conditions that prevented the use of seines. Nearshore sampling captured 12 native species of fish with one tolerant fish species (Green Sunfish) and no intolerant species sampled. Data from this targeted nearshore survey is combined with data from standard gill and trap netting surveys to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (FIBI) score that describes the overall health of the lake. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. The FIBI score for Auburn Lake based on this survey is below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River - Twin Cities Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Auburn Lake is a 261-acre lake located near the town of Victoria in Carver County. Three Rivers Park District owns a large portion of the shoreline. A boat access, two fishing piers, and a beach are available within the park. As with other parks in this regional system, a fee is required to park vehicle-boat trailer combinations. The lake is composed of two distinct basins; the west basin reaches a maximum depth of 84 feet, and the east basin reaches a maximum depth of 34 feet. Auburn Lake is primarily managed for its Northern Pike population, and secondarily for Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. The Minnesota state record Largemouth Bass was caught from Auburn Lake on October 5, 2005. The fish measured 23.5 inches, weighed eight pounds 15 ounces, and had a girth of 18 inches. Northern Pike are abundant in Auburn, and of quality size. Thirty-eight percent of Northern Pike sampled with gill nets were greater than 24 inches, with the largest fish measuring 32.1 inches. Average size of Northern Pike was 23.3 inches and 3.04 lb. Auburn Lake supports an abundant Bluegill population (49.8 fish/net). Twenty-two percent of sampled fish exceeded 7 inches, with the largest fish measuring 8.6 inches. Average size of Bluegill was 6.0 inches and 0.17 pounds. Black Crappie were caught at an average rate (7.7 fish/net). Individuals between 5.7 and 7.2 inches were present in the sample. The average length was 7.2 inches and average weight was 0.20 lbs. The largest crappie measured 9.2 inches. Yellow Perch between 5.5 and 6.8 inches were sampled at a rate of 4.0 fish per net. This low catch rate is typical for Auburn. Yellow Perch catch rates have fluctuated between 1.2 and 5.2 fish per gill net since 2000 (surveys in 2000, 2006, and 2012). Other species sampled included Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, hybrids of sunfish species, Common Carp, and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Auburn has a maximum depth of 84 feet and a mean depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Auburn is from 2022.

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