Piersons

Piersons Lake is a 267-acre lake with a maximum depth of 40 feet. Piersons is located southwest of the City of Victoria in central Carver County. Public water access is provided by the DNR (3 vehicle parking spaces and 8 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass but also supports populations of Walleye, Bluegill and Black Crappie. A Standard Survey was conducted on Piersons Lake during the summer of 2025 to assess the gamefish populations. Eurasian Watermilfoil and Zebra Mussels have been found in Piersons Lake and remain present. Despite inherent hurdles such as high predator numbers (Northern Pike), and a low forage base (Yellow Perch), private stocking has created a low abundance Walleye fishery in Piersons Lake. In 2025, the fish ranged in size from 17.9 to 27.2 inches in length, with an average size of 21.1 inches and 3.39 pounds. Although targeted sampling for Largemouth Bass was not conducted in 2025, 17 fish were incidentally captured in the gill nets and trap nets. The fish ranged in size from 5.3 to 16.3 inches in length, with an average size of 9.9 inches. Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets at the high end of their expected catch rate compared to similar metro lakes. There were 37 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 21.7 inches and the largest measured at 33.5 inches. There is good opportunity for Northern Pike harvest in Piersons Lake; 68% of the fish sampled in 2025 were smaller than 22 inches, and 14% exceeded 26 inches. Effective since 2018, anglers can keep 10 Northern Pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; and all from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Bluegill were moderately abundant in 2025, and size was modest. Only 7% of the catch exceeded 7 inches, and the largest fish measured 7.8 inches in length. While Black Crappie abundance is about average compared to other similar lakes, there are some good sized fish present. Forty percent of the Black Crappie catch in 2025 exceeded 8 inches, and the largest fish measured 11.5 inches. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Golden Shiner, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Piersons Lake is a 267-acre lake with a maximum depth of 40 feet. Piersons is located southwest of the City of Victoria in central Carver County. Public water access is provided by the DNR (3 vehicle parking spaces and 8 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). Piersons is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass but also supports catchable populations of Walleye, Bluegill and Black Crappie. A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was conducted on Piersons Lake during the week of 7/21/2020 to assess the fishery. During the 2020 survey, Piersons had good water clarity, measured at 9.0 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was zero parts per million (ppm) below 18 feet during the survey period. Eurasian Watermilfoil and Zebra Mussels have been found in Piersons Lake and remain present. Walleye in Piersons Lake are maintained through private stocking. During the 2020 survey Walleye were captured at 1.3/net, near the low end of their expected catch rate compared to similar lakes. There were 8 Walleye sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 19.3 inches and the largest measured at 24.7 inches. Despite inherent hurdles such as high predator numbers (Northern Pike), and a low forage base (Yellow Perch), private stocking has created a low abundance Walleye fishery in Piersons Lake. Largemouth Bass are present in Piersons Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2020 survey due to COVID-19 sampling restrictions. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 15 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 7.9 inches and the largest measured at 14.6 inches. Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (7.8/net) above the high end of their expected catch rate compared to similar metro lakes. Pike numbers have continued increasing in Piersons Lake over the previous four surveys, reaching a record high in 2020. There were 50 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 23.9 inches and the largest measured at 34.5 inches. Despite high abundances, Northern Pike are growing moderately fast, reaching 19 inches by age-3. Large sizes and fast growth are creating a desirable Northern Pike fishery on Piersons Lake. However, if pike numbers continue to increase to the point size and growth rates are negatively affected, anglers can help control the population through harvest. Effective 2018, anglers can keep 10 northern pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; and all from 22 to 26 inches must be released. High numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (70.3/net) above the expected catch rate compared to similar lakes. There were 633 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2020 survey, with an average length of 5.2 inches and the largest measured at 7.5 inches. Less than 5% of Bluegill sampled were greater than 7 inches. High numbers of Bluegill are likely keeping competition high and growth rates and sizes low. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (13.7/net); while trap net catches (1.4/net) were much lower. While the 2020 catch rates varied substantially between gears, average size of these fish has increased from previous surveys, with an average length of 7.9 inches and a maximum length of 10.5 inches. Over 60% of Black Crappie sampled were greater than 8 inches, providing ample angling opportunity for those looking to fill a limit of small-medium sized fish. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Pierson Lake is a Class 24 lake located southwest of Victoria in Carver County. It is 235 acres, with a maximum depth of 40 feet. There is a state owned public boat access on the west shore, but shore fishing access is limited. The lake is managed for Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. Hybrid (Tiger) Muskellunge were stocked from 1984 to 2006. Walleye fry and fingerlings were stocked by private permit in 2012; no Walleye were sampled in this assessment. The 2013 population assessment consisted of summer gill netting and fall trap netting; however, neither gear targets Hybrid Muskellunge or Largemouth Bass effectively. One Hybrid Muskellunge was sampled during this survey, measuring 28.6 inches and 16.0 pounds. The Largemouth Bass catch included 2 from gill nets and 5 from trap nets ranging from 6.9 to 21.3 inches long. The Northern Pike population has increased in abundance and decreased in size since the previous (2007). The gill net catch rate in 2013, 7.3 fish per net, was higher than the previous survey value (6.2 fish per net). Average weight of the fish decreased over this same period, from 3.51 pounds to 2.31 pounds. Northern Pike ranged from 15.3 to 32.3 inches, averaging 21.1 inches. Forty-two percent of the sample was larger than 21 inches, and only 5% of the sample was larger than 28 inches. The fish exhibited average growth rate, reaching 20.8 inches by age 4. The Bluegill population was much lower in abundance (19.7/net) compared to the 2007 value (171.8/net), yet the average size remained similar. Fish averaged 5.2 inches and 0.12 pounds. Only 28 percent of the sample was larger than 6 inches, and 11% were larger than 7 inches. Bluegill growth rates are average in Pierson Lake, with fish reaching 6.4 inches by age 4. Black Crappie were moderately abundant in the 2013 survey, and of average size. The catch rate of 5.2 fish per gill net, is a decrease from the previous survey, when 8.3 fish per net were caught. Black Crappie averaged 7.3 inches and 0.21 pounds. The largest fish measured 8.9 inches. Only 23% of the sample was larger than 8 inches, and no fish exceeded 9 inches in length. Black Crappie in Pierson Lake exhibit below-average growth rates, reaching 7.8 inches by age 5.

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

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

Piersons has a maximum depth of 40 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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