Goose

The fish population was found to be dominated by black bullheads of small average size (approximately 6.0" in length). Small largemouth bass (about 10.5") and pumpkinseed sunfish (5.0) were also present in above average numbers. Northern pike were captured in numbers far below previous years standards and averaged only 12.4 inches in length. Bluegill and black crappies were also captured, but in very low numbers. Carp were present in average numbers and below average in size. Three channel catfish were captured during this survey and all three were quality size individuals. This lake has no recorded history of channel catfish being present.

GOOSE LAKE HAS A VERY HEAVY POPULATION OF NORTHERN PIKE EXTREMELY HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVG. THESE FISH WERE SMALL TO GOOD SIZE FISH. THE BIGGEST MAJORITY OF THE FISH WERE 13 TO 19 REACHING 30 IN NUMBER BUT WERE VERY NICE FISH. IT APPEARS THE OPERATION OF THE FISH TRAP IN PETERSON CREEK AT LAKE WACONIA HAS RESULTED IN A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER CARP POPULATION IN GOOSE LAKE. THE TRAP IS OPERATD SO AS TO ALLOW UPSTREAM MIGRATION OF SPAWNING NORTHERN PIKE BUT SOON AFTER THE UPSTREAM SPAWNING RUN IS COMPLETED, THROATS ARE INSTALLED WHICH ALLOW NORTHERN PIKE RETURN PASSAGE TO WACONIA BUT PREVENT CARP AND OTHER LARGE FISH FROM MOVING UP- STREAM. A 1960 SURVEY INDICATED A HIGH POPULATION OF CARP FOLLOWING A HEAVY WINTERKILL IN 1959-60. THESE LARGE CARP HAD TO MIGRATE FROM WACONIA. NO CARP WERE SAMPLED IN 1985 AND ALTHOUGH IT IS LIKELY SOME ARE PRESENT, THEIR NUMBERS ARE LOW. BETTER GROWTH OF ROOTED AQUATICS WAS OBSERVED IN 1985 WITH PLANTS GROWING TO A DEPTH OF 8 FT WHERE- AS IN 1960 (MANY CARP PRESENT) ROOTED AQUATICS GREW TO A DEPTH OF 5 FT. ALTHOUGH STILL A WINTER- KILL LAKE, IT APPEARS THAT THE FISH TRAP ON WACONA HAS MADE GOOSE LAKE A BETTER WATERFOWL LAKE IN 1985 THAN IT WAS IN 1960.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed in Goose. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Goose has a maximum depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Goose is from 1995. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Goose in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.