Prairie Ponds

Peltier Lake is a 551 acre, class 38 lake, located in eastern Anoka County within the Rice Creek watershed. A dam was constructed at the outlet to control the water level of Peltier and Centerville Lakes. Winter aeration via pump and baffle system has been operated as needed since 1988. Peltier Lake is part of a study called the Sentinel Lakes Project, which includes increased fish, habitat, and water quality sampling. A water level drawdown was conducted in the fall of 2017 in an attempt to control non-native curly-leaf pondweed. Walleye are the primary management species and have been stocked most years since 2013. This survey was conducted using gill nets and trap nets in August 2025. The previous survey was done in June 2021. Only one 24.7 inch Walleye was sampled in the survey. Walleye fry have been stocked consistently almost every year since 2008. Northern Pike were sampled in above average numbers in this survey (14.3per gill net). Northern Pike lengths ranged from 16.9 to 36.2 inches, with an average of 23.3 inches. Most Pike were within the 20 to 25 inch range. Bluegill numbers increased drastically from previous surveys with a trap net catch rate of 24.6/net, up from just 9. 1/net in 2021. The current rate is above average for similar lakes. Bluegill caught in trap nets were generally small, ranging from 3.1 to 8.5 inches. Bluegill ages ranged from 1 to 8 years old with the 2023 year class (2 years old) having by far the most fish. There was a spike of 7 year old fish, indicating a strong year class in 2018. The significant increase in Bluegill numbers since 2021 may have influenced Black Crappie numbers in 2025. Black Crappie were caught in trap nets at a rate of 2.4 per net and gill nets at a rate of 3.5 per net, a major decrease from the 2021 survey, where the gill net catch rate was 48.5/net (highest gillnet catch rate ever observed in Peltier Lake). Black Crappie lengths ranged from 5.1 to 10.3inches, with an average of just under 8 inches. Yellow Perch were sampled at a rate of 7.7 per gill net, an increase from the 2.8 per net in 2021, but significantly down from previous surveys dating back to 2009. Yellow Perch had a length range of 5.7 to 8.5 inches, with an average length of 6.6 inches. Perch ages ranged from 2 to 5 years old, with almost 90 percent of individuals being age 2 or 3. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 0.8 per gill net (5 total sampled). Electrofishing is the preferred method for sampling Largemouth Bass, as netting gears are not effective in assessing Largemouth Bass populations. Bass lengths ranged from 8.9 to 18.7 inches, with an average length of 11.2 inches. Other fish species sampled in low numbers in 2025 included: Black Bullhead, Bowfin (dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead

Prairieview pond is a small shallow lake located in a Farmington city park. Maximum depth is 12 feet. Despite being shallow, it does not regularly winterkill. Bluegill and Black Crappie were stocked in 2005 and 2006 and adult Bluegill only in 2014. Current abundance is moderate to high for both species, but size is small. Bluegill average size was less than 5 inches and Black Crappie average was less than 7 inches. Green Sunfish are also present and abundance is average, however some nice-sized fish are available. Yellow Perch and Hybrid Sunfish were also sampled in low numbers and small size.

Prairieview pond is a small shallow lake located in a Farmington city park. Maximum depth is 12 feet. Despite being shallow, it does not regularly winterkill. Bluegill and black crappie were stocked in 2005 and 2006. Current abundance is moderate to high for both species, but size is small. Bluegill averge size was under 5 inches and crappie average was under 6 inches. Laremouth bass are also present and abundance appears to be moderate, with some nize-sized fish. A 17 inch largemouth bass was sampled during this assessment. Yellow perch, hybrid sunfish, and white sucker were also sampled in low numbers.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Prairie Ponds. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Prairie Ponds has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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