Independence

Independence is an 832-acre lake located in western Hennepin County in the city of Maple Plain. Baker Park Reserve (Three Rivers Park District) borders the southeast portion of the lake and provides a two-lane concrete boat access (subject to park hours and parking fee), as well as shore fishing, a swimming beach and recreation area. Primarily managed for Walleye, Muskellunge, and Yellow Perch, Independence is a popular fishing destination. The lake is infested with Zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Good numbers of Walleye were caught in the 2025 survey, and the fish were of healthy size. The average Walleye was 19.4 inches and 3.02 pounds, with the largest measuring 27.8 inches. Seventy-four percent of the sample were 15 inches or longer, 57% were 20 inches or longer, and 10% were 25 inches or longer. Regular stocking supports this population. Sampling for Muskellunge was not conducted in 2025; however, two Muskellunge, measuring 29.5 and 44.5 inches, were incidentally caught in the summer survey. When the lake was last surveyed for Muskellunge in 2016, fish ranged between 36.6 and 51.6 inches, with an average size of 44.4 inches and 23.96 pounds. While no Yellow Perch caught exceeded 9 inches, their abundance marks the presence of a healthy forage base for stocked predator fish. Average length and weight in 2025 were 7.5 inches and 0.2 pounds, increasing from 7.3 inches and 0.19 pounds during the 2022 survey. Additionally, 35% of the fish sampled were larger than 8 inches, increasing from 26% in 2022. Lake Independence doesn't usually have high numbers of Northern Pike, and that was true again in the 2025 summer survey. The fish were of good size, however, as 91% of the catch exceeded 21 inches, and 50% of the catch exceeded 28 inches. Bluegill and Black Crappie were caught in good numbers. The 2025 survey showed 45% of the sampled crappie exceeded 9 inches, and the largest fish was 11.4 inches. Data showed 66% of the Bluegill were larger than 6 inches and 34% were larger than 7 inches. Additionally, the largest Bluegill sampled was 8.5 inches. Electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was not conducted in 2025, however 12 fish were incidentally sampled by trap net. The fish ranged in length from 5.7 to 15.5 inches. Standard electrofishing was last conducted in the spring of 2016. At that time, 172 fish were sampled, ranging in length from 3.4 to 16.1 inches. Average size of bass in 2016 was 8.6 inches and 0.39 pounds. Other species present in lower abundance during the 2025 survey include Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead. Pumpkinseed were also found in comparable numbers to Black Crappie across both gill nets and trap nets.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Independence Lake, was conducted on June 16-June 18, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) 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 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 10 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at one station. Three stations were not seined due to dense cattails and soft substrate making station foot traversal difficult. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including one species that's intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Muskellunge) and three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. 12 trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 14 species of fish. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the catch by number and biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2025 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., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Muskellunge), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish 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. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Independence Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the South Fork Crow River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Independence Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Independence is an 832-acre lake located in western Hennepin County in the city of Maple Plain. Baker Park Reserve (Three Rivers Park District) borders the southeast portion of the lake and provides a two-lane concrete boat access (subject to park hours and parking fee), as well as shore fishing, a swimming beach and recreation area. Primarily managed for Walleye, Muskellunge, and Yellow Perch, Independence is a popular fishing destination. The lake is infested with Zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Good numbers of Walleye were caught in the 2022 survey, and the fish were of healthy size. The average Walleye was 18.5 inches and 2.60 pounds, with the largest measuring 28.5 inches. Seventy-three percent of the sample were 15 inches or longer, 33% were 20 inches or longer, and 12% were 25 inches or longer. Regular stocking supports this population. Sampling for Muskellunge was not scheduled in 2022; however, one 40.9 inch fish was incidentally caught in the summer survey. When the lake was last surveyed for Muskies in 2016, fish ranged between 36.6 and 51.6 inches, with an average size of 44.4 inches and 23.96 pounds. While only 4% of the Yellow Perch catch exceeded 9 inches, their abundance marks the presence of a healthy forage base for stocked predator fish. Average length and weight in 2022 were 7.3 inches and 0.19 pounds and 26% of the fish sampled were larger than 8 inches. Lake Independence doesn't usually have high numbers of Northern Pike, and that was true again in the 2022 summer survey. The fish were of good size, however, 91% of the catch exceeded 21 inches, and 27% of the catch exceeded 28 inches. Bluegill and Black Crappie were caught in good numbers. Sixteen percent of the sampled crappie exceeded 9 inches, and the largest fish was 11.3 inches. Twenty-six percent of the Bluegill were larger than 6 inches and 10% were larger than 7 inches. The largest Bluegill sampled was 8.3 inches. Electrofishing for Largemouth Bass was not scheduled in 2022, however seven fish were incidentally sampled by trap net. The fish ranged in length from 4.8 to 6.0 inches. Standard electrofishing was last done in spring 2016. At that time, 172 fish were sampled, ranging in length from 3.4 to 16.1 inches. Average size of bass in 2016 was 8.6 inches and 0.39 pounds. Other species present in lower abundance during the 2022 survey include Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

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

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

Independence has a maximum depth of 58 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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