Goose

A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted by Hinckley fisheries staff on Goose Lake on July 17, 2025. Nearshore sampling captured 14 species of fish: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Central Mudminnow, Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Tadpole Madtom, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. The nearshore survey data is combined with standard gill and trap netting survey data from previous Goose Lake surveys to calculate a Fish IBI (FIBI) score and helps assess aquatic life in Goose Lake. The FIBI score for Goose Lake based on this survey is below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

Goose Lake is a 754-acre lake in northwestern Chisago County located eight miles northeast of Cambridge and is within the Lower St. Croix River Watershed. Goose Lake has a north/south orientation and has two distinct basins divided by Goose Lake Narrows Road. The northern basin has a maximum depth of 8 feet, is heavily vegetated, and subject to low winter oxygen levels. The overall lake has a maximum depth is 55 feet and an average depth of 15 feet. The lake is 49% littoral (15 feet or less, 370 acres). Water clarity is low with Secchi depths to 3 feet. Its color is green due to algae blooms. Goose Creek is the main inlet and outlet that flows through Goose Lake from southwest to northeast. Goose Lake is connected to Rabour and Mandall lakes to the south, and Goose Creek flows into Mandall Lake from the west. Goose Creek then flows north and exits the northern basin of Goose Lake on its southeastern shore. Vegetation Surveys in 2019 and 2020 showed that vegetation is dense, growing lakewide to depths of 9 feet. Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil, non-native invasive species, are common. Substrates consist primarily of sand, muck, with some gravel. The lake is highly developed along shorelines where development can occur and has approximately 91 homes. A state-owned access is located on the eastern shore of the northern basin off County Road 8. It has a gravel parking lot that accommodates 8 vehicles with trailers. There have been a total of 15 fish surveys completed to monitor for changes in species composition, number, and length distribution. The most recent surveys were conducted in 2002, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2021, and 2025. The current planned survey frequency is approximately every 4 years. Goose Lake has two special regulations: a 17" minimum for Walleye (statewide possession limit) and a reduced possession limit of 5 crappie. Primarily management species are Walleye and Black Crappie, while secondary species include Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. Anglers fishing Goose Lake can expect moderate numbers of quality sized Walleye, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. In 2025, the Walleye gill net catch rate was 3.2/net, which compares to the average of 5.7/net. The 29 Walleye sampled ranged from 8.6 to 26.4 inches and had an average length of 17.5 inches. Walleyes over 25 inches have been sampled in five of the past eight surveys including the 2025 survey. Walleyes over 20 inches have been sampled in all of the past 8 surveys. This population has an above average proportion of Walleye over 15 inches. Catch rates for individual stocked Walleye year classes have remained constant since the early 2010s at around 1.0 fish/net. Prior to the 2010s the catch rates were more boom or bust, indicating that the current stocking plan is providing a stable Walleye fishery. The Black Crappie gill and trap net catch rates were above and below average. The gill net catch in 2025 was 22.3/net, which compares to the average of 15.1/net. The trap net catch was 2.3/net, which compares to the average of 11.1/net. Crappie caught in gill nets ranged in length from 4.3 to 11.0 inches and had an average length of 6.7 inches. Black Crappies over 10 inches have been sampled in the past seven surveys, while crappie over 12 inches have never been sampled. This population currently has a low proportion of fish over eight inches and a high proportion of fish over ten inches. Overall, anglers that fish Goose Lake for crappies can expect to catch moderate numbers of 10 to 11-inch fish. A total of 64 Northern Pike were sampled in gill nets in 2025 which resulted in a catch rate of 7.1/net. Catch rates have exceeded 7/net each of the past four surveys. Research indicates pike catch rates over 7.5/net are undesirable, as they are usually associated with higher density populations having poor size structure and slow growth. Higher pike densities can also have detrimental effects on stocked Walleye survival and perch populations. Perch are often a primary prey species. The 64 pike sampled ranged from 16.9 to 34.0 inches and averaged 25.5 inches. Pike over 28 inches have been sampled in all but one of the past eight surveys. This pike population has a higher proportion of fish over 21 inches. Overall, anglers that fish Goose Lake for pike can expect to catch moderate numbers of average sized pike with a chance of catching one over 28 inches. Night electrofishing surveys to evaluate Largemouth Bass relative abundance and size structure were conducted in June 2025 for the eighth consecutive survey. The 2025 catch rate was 44/hour which was the highest observed. Lengths of bass sampled ranged from 3.9 to 19.1 inches and averaged 11.8 inches. Bass over 20 inches were only sampled in the 1997 survey, while bass over 15 inches were sampled in all eight. Goose Lake has above average proportions of bass over 12 and 15 inches. Bluegill trap net catch rates in 2025 were the second highest ever observed. The trap net catch in 2025 of 33/net, compares to the average of 13/net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 0.8 to 8.5 inches and averaged 5.8 inches in trap nets. A 9.3 inch Bluegill was sampled in a gill net. This population has an average proportion of fish over 6 inches and a below average proportion of fish over 8 inches. Anglers targeting Bluegill on Goose Lake can expect to catch higher numbers of 6 to 8 inch fish. Yellow Perch gill net catch rates have remained moderate to high throughout all surveys, when compared to other area lakes. Catch rates in 2025 were 28.7/net and compare to the average of 11.0/net. The perch sampled in 2025 ranged from 0.6 to 10.6 inches and had an average length of 6.1 inches. The 2025 survey is the first survey to sample a 10 inch perch. The average size is likely too small to interest anglers; however, they can be an important prey source for most gamefish targeted by anglers. Other species sampled included: Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Burbot, Central Mudminnow, Common Carp, Common Shiner, Green Sunfish, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Pumpkinseed, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.

Goose Lake is a 719-acre lake in northern Chisago County located eight miles northeast of Cambridge, MN, and is within the Lower St. Croix River Watershed. It is comprised of two distinct basins. The north basin (264 acres) is shallow and subject to low winter oxygen levels, while the south basin (455 acres) is deeper. The north basin has a maximum depth of 9 feet and an average depth of 6 feet, while the south basin has a maximum depth of 55 feet and an average depth of 15 feet. Overall, the lake has an average depth of 15 feet, and 51% of the lake is 15 feet or less (370 littoral acres). Goose Creek flows through the lake, with its inlet flowing from Mandall Lake to the south and its outlet in the southeastern corner of the northern basin, which then flows downstream to the St. Croix River. An aquatic vegetation survey in 2019 indicated quantity and quality of species was higher in the deeper southern basin. Non-native plant species including Curlyleaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil are present. Substrates consist of mainly sand and muck. The public access is located in the southeast corner of the northern basin, just north of the bridge between the basins. The height of the bridge limits passage of larger boats in the summer, while flowing open water under the bridge limits winter travel. A special regulation for Black Crappie was implemented in 2007, with a reduced limit of five. Pre and post regulation evaluations have occurred in 2001, 2005, 2012, 2016, 2021, and 2024 to target Black Crappie. The 2024 targeted survey was conducted from April 30 through May 3. The survey was completed using 9 trap nets over 3 days prior to crappie spawning, as water temperatures were approximately 52 degrees. A total of 335 Black Crappie were sampled in 2024 for a catch rate of 7.1/net. This is near average compared to previous surveys which have seen catch rates vary considerably, ranging from 0.1/net in 2005 to 20/net in 2001. Crappie lengths ranged from 5.1 to 11.8 inches with an average length of 9.6 inches in 2024. Nearly 35 percent of Black Crappie sampled in 2024 were greater than 10 inches. This is slightly above average compared to previous surveys which have produced average sizes ranging from 7.7 inches in 2005 to 9.8 inches in 2021 with anywhere from 7 to 51 percent of sampled crappies being greater than 10 inches. In 2024 crappie were aged as part of a statewide research project. Crappie from nine age classes were sampled based on estimated otolith ages and ranged from age-2 through age-11. Most crappies were ages 4 through 9. Growth was slow compared to other area lakes, as it took seven years to attain 10 inches. Other species sampled in 2024 included Bluegill, Hybrid Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed. A total of 1,462 Bluegill were sampled for a catch rate of 31/net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.5 to 10.8 inches with and average length of 6.4 inches. A total of 12 Hybrid Sunfish were sampled for a catch rate of 0.3/net. Hybrid sunfish lengths ranged from 4.1 to 7.9 inches with an average length of 6.4 inches. A total of 91 Pumpkinseed were sampled for a catch rate of 1.9/net. Pumpkinseed lengths ranged from 3.9 to 7.9 inches with an average length of 6.4 inches. Crappie were collected as part of a broad research project investigating Black Crappie populations across Minnesota. Springtime trap net surveys collected a total of 446 fish. Individuals averaged 9.4 inches with the largest individual being 11.8 inches. Growth was modest and individuals averaged 6.2 and 9.9 inches at age 3 and 6, respectively. Maximum age was 11.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie, and White Crappie 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 55 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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