Weaver

Weaver Lake is a 152-acre lake with an average depth of 20.7 feet and a maximum depth of 57 feet. The lake is in the city of Maple Grove in north-central Hennepin County. Weaver is actively managed for Bluegill, with secondary emphasis on Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. Weaver also supports catchable populations of Black Crappie. Public water access is provided by the City of Maple Grove on the west side of the lake off Minnesota Highway 101 (up to 10 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). A standard survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was completed on Weaver Lake during the week of 7/11/2024 to monitor water quality and fish populations. Water color was green, with low-moderate water clarity, measured at 6.0 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was zero parts per million (ppm) at a depth of 28 feet, meaning fish would be unable to use water depths greater than 28 feet during mid-summer. Moderate numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (36/net) near the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. There were 324 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2023 survey, with an average length of 5.4 inches, and the largest measured at 7.1 inches. Despite moderate numbers of Bluegill, growth remained slow, with less than 5% of fish sampled measured greater than 6.5 inches. Although Bluegill are abundant, relatively few large fish can be found. High numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (9.3/net), above the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. There were 56 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets during the 2023 survey. Average size of Northern Pike in the 2023 survey was 25.8 inches with the largest measured at 37.9 inches. The current population appears well balanced (a middle ground between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Despite high numbers, multiple fish were sampled greater than 34 inches, demonstrating the potential for these fish to reach desirable sizes. Northern Pike numbers are high and their average and maximum size would rival some of the best opportunities found in the area. Largemouth Bass are present in Weaver Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2023 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught six Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 14.5 inches and the largest measuring 16.8 inches. Future surveys will include a targeted spring boat-electrofishing component. Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (6.0/net) and trap nets (2.4/net) near the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. The Black Crappie population remains stable, with little variation in historic catch rates over the previous 30 years. There were 58 Black Crappie sampled during the 2023 survey, with an average length of 7.3 inches, and the largest measured at 11.9 inches. Despite the majority of small crappie, the presence of fish greater than 10 inches is an encouraging sign for the fishery. Other fish species sampled in low abundance were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Tiger Muskellunge, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. Eurasian Watermilfoil, a submersed invasive aquatic plant has been found in Weaver Lake and remains present. Eurasian watermilfoil can limit recreational activities on water bodies by forming mats on the water surface and alter aquatic ecosystems by displacing native plants. The most important action that you can take to limit the spread of milfoil and other aquatic invasive plants is to remove all vegetation from your watercraft before you move it from one body of water to another.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Weaver Lake was conducted beginning on August 3rd, 2020 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations, but two stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, a 15-foot seine was used at four stations, and site conditions (soft sediment and deep water) prevented the use of seines at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 20 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Iowa Darter) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted the week of August 3rd, 2020 by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill and Black Crappie comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and biomass. Bluegill count per net was between the 50th and 75th quartile, while the Bluegill mean weight was below the 25th quartile for similar Lake Class 24 lakes. The Black Crappie count per net was between the 25th and 50th quartile, while their mean weight was between the 50th and 75th quartile for similar Lake Class 24 lakes. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2018 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Banded Killifish, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Green Sunfish, Fathead Minnows, and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River-Twin Cities Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Weaver Lake is a 149-acre lake with a maximum depth of 57 feet. Weaver is located northwest of the City of Maple Grove, in northern Hennepin County. Public access is provided by a city-owned boat ramp located on the western shore, while the city park on the southeast shore offers shore fishing, swimming beach, and recreational area. The lake is subject to periodic small-scale fish die-offs typical for the lake type and region. Kills for Weaver have been recorded three times from 2005 through 2018. Eurasian Watermilfoil also remains present in Weaver Lake. Weaver is primarily managed for Bluegill, but includes catchable populations of hybrid (tiger) muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie. Tiger muskellunge were last stocked by private-permit in 2014 and 2016; DNR stockings of the fish ended in 2006. A Standard Survey (trap nets, gill nets, and boat electrofishing) was conducted on Weaver Lake during the week of 7/9/2018. During the survey, water clarity was moderate with 5 feet of visibility and low oxygen below 24 feet. Bluegill numbers in Weaver Lake were high, with 46.3/net. Bluegill averaged 5.0 inches with the largest measured at 7.9 inches. However, of the 417 Bluegill sampled, only 29% of those fish were larger than 6 inches. High numbers of small Bluegill are likely limiting growth potential. Tiger muskellunge were sampled in low numbers (0.5/net) during the 2018 survey. Average size of fish sampled was 23.1 inches, with the longest measured at 28.2 inches. Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring 2018 with nighttime boat electrofishing, the first time this type of sampling was conducted on Weaver Lake. Catch rates were high, with 73.3 fish/hour. Largemouth Bass averaged 10.9 inches with the largest measured at 20.0 inches. Nearly 30% of catchable-sized fish were over 15 inches, providing excellent angling opportunity. The Largemouth Bass population in Weaver Lake is healthy, with consistent reproduction and many year classes of fish. Northern Pike were sampled at moderate numbers (7.8/net) compared to similar lakes in the area. Average size of Northern Pike was 24.7 inches with the largest measured at 35.0 inches. New Northern Pike regulations (effective 2018) prohibit harvest between 22 and 26 inches, but allow a 10 fish limit outside of the protected slot, with not more than 2 of those 10 fish over 26 inches. Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (14.8/net) and trap nets (4.1/net), within their historical range. Black Crappie averaged 7.3 inches with the largest measured at 10.8 inches. Of the 111 Black Crappie sampled, only 3% were greater than 10 inches. Other fish species sampled in low numbers were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

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

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

Weaver has a maximum depth of 57 feet and a mean depth of 20.7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Weaver is from 2023.

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