Carver

Carver Lake is a 50-acre (24 littoral acre), class 30 lake in Woodbury that has fair water clarity and a typical fish community for a lake in the metro area. The lake is currently managed by the Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) program. A large city park on the lake offers many amenities including a swimming beach, kayak rentals, and a fishing wharf with a pier along part of the shore. Shorefishing is available from the wharf as well as several informal spots off a paved walking path that runs along a good portion of the shoreline. Carver Lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Bluegill Sunfish, with Largemouth Bass designated as a secondary management species. Walleye management, initiated in 2016, includes annual stocking of variable age classes. In 2024, the first and only Walleye sampled in a gill net at Carver Lake was captured, measuring 23.23 inches in length. Walleye have continued to be sampled at average abundance in trapnets (0.50 fish per trapnet) for a lake of this class. Walleye sampled in trapnets had lengths range from 19.33 to 23.43 inches, with a mean length of 21.57 inches. Bluegill Sunfish are present in high abundance, exceeding the long-term management goals regarding catch rates and size structure. Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 60.5 fish per trapnet. Lengths ranged from 2.95 to 8.5 inches, with a mean of 5.37 inches. Northern Pike abundance was above average (7.5 fish per gill net) and seems to be increasing in size structure. The mean length was 24.97 inches, with five of the fifteen fish sampled exceeding 28 inches. Black Crappie abundance remains below average (4.38 fish per trapnet), with most fish less than 7 inches (range of 4.72 to 9.37 inches). Only one Largemouth Bass was sampled, 8.31 inches in length. Other species, including pumpkinseed Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, and Yellow Perch, were found in low abundance.

Carver Lake is a scenic little lake in Woodbury that is deep for its size (maximum depth 36 feet) and has clear water. A large city park on the lake offers many amenities including a swimming beach and a fishing wharf with a pier along part of the shore. Shorefishing is available from the wharf as well as several informal spots off a paved walking path that runs along a good portion of the shoreline. The sportfish community is typical of lakes in the region. The 2019 fish assessment revealed above average Bluegill numbers and average size structure of 5.5 inches. Black Crappie abundance was below average, with most fish less than 9 inches (range of 5 to 15 inches). Although Northern Pike abundance is high for a lake like Carver, the population consists of decent sized fish with none over 28 inches. Based on trap netting, Largemouth Bass abundance appears to be above average but fish sampled were small in size. Several small Walleye were also observed during this survey. Low numbers of Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Green Sunfish and Yellow Perch were also sampled.

Carver Lake is a scenic little lake in Woodbury. The lake is deep for its size (maximum depth 36 feet) and has fairly clear water. There is a large city park on the lake offering many amenities including a swimming beach and a wharf along part of the shore. Shorefishing is available from the wharf as well as several informal spots off a paved walking path that runs along a good portion of the shoreline. The 2014 fish assessment found an average Bluegill population dominated by small to mid-sized fish. Average length was less than five inches. Black Crappie abundance was low, with most fish less than 6 inches (range of 4 to 9 inches). Northern Pike abundance is average for a lake like Carver, however the population consists of decent fish. At this time large Northern Pike are absent from the population (fish 28 inches and larger). Largemouth Bass abundance is low, but some nice sized fish are present. Low numbers of Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish and Yellow Perch were also sampled.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Bluegill in Carver. 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 Carver. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Carver has a maximum depth of 36 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Carver is from 2024.

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