Fish

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Fish Lake was conducted on July 14- 15, 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 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at four stations. One station was not seined due to extremely dense vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 13 species of fish including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner and Iowa Darter) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 10 species of fish, including two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number and by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2024 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 Rock Bass), 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 web site. Results from this survey suggest that Fish Lake is near the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which found that Fish Lake is vulnerable to impairment and may be adversely impacted by stressors. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Lower Minnesota River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Fish Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Fish Lake is 176 acres, with a maximum depth of 28 feet. Fish is located southwest of the City of Prior Lake, in central Scott County. Public access is provided by a DNR-owned boat ramp located on the northwest side of the lake. Fish is primarily managed for Walleye, but includes catchable populations of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. A Standard Survey was conducted on Fish Lake during the week of 6/24/2024 to assess the fishery. During the survey, water clarity was low with 3.5 feet of visibility, and low oxygen below 14 feet. Fish Lake in Scott County is one of the few lakes in the metro area free of aquatic invasive species. Good numbers of Walleye were sampled in 2024, with a catch of 3.5 per gill net. There were 21 Walleye sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 11.2 inches and the largest measured at 17.6 inches. Due to above average catch rates and sizes, Fish Lake provides decent Walleye angling potential. Sampling for Largemouth Bass was not conducted during 2024, however 3 bass were incidentally sampled in gill nets. The fish ranged from 10.2 to 15.6 inches. When bass electrofishing was last conducted, in 2019, average fish length was 13.0 inches, and the maximum length was 20.8 inches. Fish Lake has historically supported a high quality Largemouth Bass population. Bluegill were sampled at above average numbers, compared to similar lakes in the area. There were 582 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 7.3 and the largest measured at 8.5 inches. Despite few fish (8%) greater than 8 inches, the majority of sampled Bluegill (86%) were greater than 7 inches, providing excellent angling opportunity. Black Crappie were sampled at higher rates (14.2/net) in gill nets and lower rates (2.0/net) in trap nets, suggesting crappie may be using more off-shore habitat in Fish Lake. There were 103 Black Crappie sampled during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 7.2 inches, and the largest measured at 11.3 inches. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, White Crappie, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Fish Lake is 176-acres, with a maximum depth of 28 feet. Fish is located southwest of the City of Prior Lake, in central Scott County. Public access is provided by a DNR-owned boat ramp located on the northwest side of the lake. Fish is primarily managed for Walleye, but includes catchable populations of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. Management includes scheduled Walleye fingerling stocking in odd-numbered years at a rate of 1 pounds per littoral acre (74 pounds), with other sizes/ages/amounts substituted if insufficient fingerlings are available. A Standard Survey (gill nets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing) was conducted on Fish Lake during the week of 6/24/2019 to assess the fishery. During the survey, water clarity was poor with 2.75 feet of visibility, with low oxygen below 16 feet. Fish Lake in Scott County is one of the few lakes in the metro area free of aquatic invasive species. Good numbers of Walleye were sampled in 2019, with a gill net catch of 4.3/net. There were 26 Walleye sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 14.2 inches and the largest measured at 22.2 inches. Walleye growth in Fish was modest compared to the statewide average, indicated by an average length of 9.5 inches by age 2, and 19.8 inches by age 5. Due to above average catch rates and sizes, Fish Lake provides decent Walleye angling potential. Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring 2019 with nighttime boat electrofishing, the first time such a survey was conducted here. Catch rates were high, with 75.3 fish/hour. Largemouth Bass averaged 13.0 inches, with the largest measured at 20.8 inches. Greater than 50% of the 113 bass sampled were larger than 13 inches. Despite high numbers, bass continue to reach large sizes desirable to anglers. Bluegill were sampled at above average numbers (47.8/net), compared to similar lakes in the area. There were 430 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2019 survey, with an average length of 6.9 and the largest measured at 8.5 inches. Despite few fish (2%) greater than 8 inches, the majority of sampled Bluegill (59%) were greater than 7 inches, providing excellent angling opportunity. Black Crappie were sampled at high rates (10.0/net) in gill nets and very low rates (0.2/net) in trap nets, suggesting crappie may be using more off-shore habitat in Fish Lake. There were 62 Black Crappie sampled during the 2019 survey, with an average length of 7.8 inches, and the largest measured at 9.9 inches. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, White Crappie, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

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

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

Fish has a maximum depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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