Steiger

Steiger is a 166-acre (103 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 37 feet. Steiger is located north of the City of Victoria, in northeastern Carver County. Steiger is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass, but includes catchable populations of Bluegill and Black Crappie. A special catch-and-release Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass regulation was implemented in 1988 and remains in place. Public water access is provided by Three Rivers Park District on the southeast side of the lake off County Road 5 and Steiger Lake Lane (up to 12 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was conducted on Steiger Lake during the week of 08/05/2024 to monitor water quality and fish populations. Steiger is a productive lake with brown/green-stained water and poor clarity, measured at 3 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was zero parts per million (ppm) below 10 feet, meaning fish would be unable to use water depths greater than 10 feet during mid-summer. Eurasian Watermilfoil has been documented in Steiger Lake and remains present. Northern Pike in Steiger Lake were sampled with gill nets (9.3/net) above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 56 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 23.6 inches and the largest measured at 32.7 inches. Size indices show a balanced population (a middle ground between high numbers of small fish and low numbers of large fish). Growth rates were moderately fast compared to the statewide average. Northern Pike in Steiger Lake appear to benefit from the catch-and-release regulation with consistently high numbers and decent sizes, providing quality angling opportunity. Largemouth Bass are present in Steiger Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2024 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 14 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 13.5 inches and the largest measured at 20.7 inches. Future surveys will include a targeted spring boat-electrofishing component. Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (28.9/net) near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 260 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 5.7 inches and the largest measured at 7.8 inches. Nearly 25% of Bluegill sampled in trap nets were greater than 7 inches. Although harvestable sized Bluegill (7"+) are present in Steiger lake, anglers should be prepared to sort through many small fish along the way. Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (16.0/net) and trap nets (0.9/net), within the expected catch rates of similar lakes. There were 144 Black Crappie sampled during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 6.6 inches and the largest measured at 9.2 inches. The current Black Crappie population consists of moderate numbers but small sizes and likely provides little interest to anglers. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Steiger Lake is a 166-acre lake with a maximum depth of 37 feet. Steiger is located north of the City of Victoria, in northeastern Carver County. Three Rivers Park District owns and maintains a public access ramp (subject to Three Rivers Park District rules and hours) located off of County Road 5 on the southeast shore of the lake. Steiger is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass, but includes catchable populations of Bluegill and Black Crappie. A special catch-and-release regulation for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass was implemented in 1988 and remains in place. A Standard Survey (gill nets, trap nets, and electrofishing) was conducted on Steiger Lake during the week of 7/29/2019 to assess the fishery. Steiger Lake had poor water clarity, measured at 3 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was zero parts per million (ppm) below 13 feet during the survey period. Eurasian Watermilfoil was found in Steiger Lake in 2002 and remains present. High numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (9.7/net) -- -- above the expected cate rate of similar lakes in the area. There were 58 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 26.2 inches and the largest measured at 34.0 inches. Northern Pike are maintaining 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 20.3 by age 3 and 25.4 inches by age 5. Northern Pike in Steiger Lake appear to benefit from the catch-and-release regulation with consistently high numbers and sizes, providing excellent angling opportunity. Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring 2019 with nighttime boat electrofishing. Catch rates were moderate, with 45.7 fish/hour. Fifty-four total bass were sampled, with an average length of 14.1 inches and the largest measured at 19.3 inches. Despite a lack of the largest individuals (20"+), Steiger Lake supports an excellent bass fishery with over 54% of the total catch greater than 15 inches. Similar to Northern Pike, the Largemouth Bass in Steiger Lake appear to benefit from the catch-and-release regulation with an abundance of desirable sized fish. Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (36.0/net) at moderately high catch rates compared to similar lakes in the area. There were 288 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2019 survey, with an average length of 5.9 inches and the largest measured at 7.7 inches. Despite a lack of the largest individuals (8"+), over 25% of fish sampled were greater than 7 inches and should provide plenty of angling opportunity. Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (19.8/net) and trap nets (3.3/net), near the expected catch rate of similar lakes in the area. Black Crappie in Steiger Lake appear to prefer offshore summer habitat based on the long-term differences between high gill net (offshore) and low trap net (nearshore) catches. There were 144 Black Crappie sampled during the 2019 survey, with an average length of 6.7 inches and the largest measured at 13.4 inches. Although the majority of Black Crappie sampled were less than 8 inches (83%), there were fish present greater than 10 inches (1%), and even 12 inches (1%) in Steiger Lake. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Steiger Lake is a 158-acre Class 24 lake with a maximum depth of 37 feet. The entire lake lies within the boundaries of Three Rivers Park (Carver Park Reserve). Per park district rules, a fee permit is required to park vehicle-boat trailer combinations within the park; in addition, Steiger has a 15-mph speed limit lake surface-use restriction. A catch-and-release regulation for Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike has been in place since 1988. In 2014, a population assessment and fall special assessment were conducted to determine composition and abundance of fish present. Steiger Lake contained a high abundance of Northern Pike (9.0 per gill net, above the 75th percentile), and the fish displayed a good size structure. Average size of Northern Pike was 25.6 inches and 3.89 pounds. Ninety percent of the fish exceeded 21 inches and 26% exceeded 28 inches, with 5 fish over 30 inches. Northern Pike grew fast in Steiger Lake; they reach an average length of 23.1 inches by age 3, and 26.1 inches by age 5. No Largemouth Bass were sampled during the summer survey; however, an electrofishing assessment to specifically target the species was conducted in fall 2014. The average size of Largemouth Bass in 2014 was 14.0 inches and 1.86 pounds. Forty-one percent of sampled fish exceeded 16 inches, and 10% exceeded 18 inches. The largest fish was 18.7 inches. Largemouth Bass grew fast in Steiger; they reach an average length of 11.1 inches by age 3 and 16.9 inches by age 5. Bluegill were highly abundant in Steiger Lake; 2014's catch of 85 fish per trap net exceeds the 75th percentile for this type of lake. The fish averaged 6.0 inches and 0.17 pounds. Fifty-four percent of the sampled fish were longer than 6 inches, and 20% were longer than 7 inches. The largest fish measured 8.0 inches. Bluegill grew fast in Steiger Lake; they reach an average length of 5.3 inches by age 3 and 7.3 inches by age 5. Black Crappie were present at an average level; 2014's gill net catch of 6.2 fish per net was just below the Lake Class median. Sampled fish were not large; only one exceeded 8 inches. The average size of Black Crappie in Steiger was 6.5 inches and 0.13 pounds. Black Crappie grew more slowly than average for this Lake Class, attaining an average length of 6.0 inches by age 3 and 7.6 inches by age 5. Yellow Bullhead were sampled in the trap nets at a rate just above the median for this type of lake (2.56 fish per trap net). The average size of Bullhead was 10.9 inches and 0.71 pounds; the largest measured 13.3 inches. Other species sampled in low abundance during the 2014 assessment include Bowfin, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.

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

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

Steiger has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Steiger is from 2024.

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