Lower Prior Lake

How big is Lower Prior Lake?

How deep is Lower Prior Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lower Prior Lake?

Are there boat launches on Lower Prior Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lower Prior Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Lower Prior Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Lower Prior Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lower Prior Lake?

Lower Prior is a 956-acre, Class 25 lake located in the city of Prior Lake, Scott County. Maximum depth is 60 feet and littoral area (<15 ft) covers 39% of the lake. It is connected to Upper Prior, located south and upstream of Lower Prior Lake; these two basins are often referred to in aggregate as Prior Lake. The Prior Lake basins are in a highly developed watershed. The lake system is managed primarily for Walleye and Largemouth Bass. A Standard Survey was conducted during the summer of 2015 to characterize Lower Prior's fish community. Surveys have been completed every other year since 1996.

In 2015, Walleye abundance was 3.5/ gill net. Catch has remained relatively stable over the last 11 years, averaging 3.6 fish per net between 2004 and 2015. Mean length and weight were 14.8 inches and 1.25 lbs, with the largest fish measuring 23.0 inches and 3.43 pounds. The majority of Walleye sampled (56%) likely were from the 2013 fingerling stocking. Twenty-six percent were age-4 and 11% were age-6. All Walleye ages corresponded to stocked years, indicating a very low likelihood of natural reproduction. Growth was faster than the statewide average. Walleye reached 11.6 inches at age 2 and 17.7 inches at age 4. Walleye continue to be stocked in odd-numbered years.

During early June, night-time electrofishing revealed an abundant population of moderately sized Largemouth Bass. In 2 hours and 41 minutes of boat electrofishing, 336 bass were collected. The average size of bass was 9.3 inches and 0.47 pounds, and the largest fish sampled was 16.2 inches long. Size structure was skewed to smaller individuals. The majority of fish (86%) were smaller than 12 inches.

Lower Prior Lake has a low-density Northern Pike population. Pike abundance (3.4/gill net) was between the 25th percentile and median for a Class 25 lake. From 2004-2015, abundance has ranged from 1.1 - 6.6/gill net, with a mean of 3.3/net. Mean length and weight were 22.4 inches and 2.73 lbs, with the largest fish measuring 32.5 inches.

Bluegill are moderately low in abundance (15.0/trap net) when compared to other Class 25 lakes. The 2015 catch was lower than the 2004-2015 catch average of 23.5/net. Size structure was skewed to smaller individuals. Mean length and weight of trap netted fish were 4.8 inches and 0.09 lbs, with the largest measuring 8.2 inches.

Black Crappie were sampled in moderate abundance. Both the gill net catch rate (2.38/net) and the trap net catch rate (1.92/net) were above the median for Class 25 lakes. Catch rates have typically been low for Black Crappie in Lower Prior Lake. Over the period 2004-2015, trap net catches have averaged 3.1/net and gill nets averaged 1.4/net. Four of the 41 Black Crappie sampled were 8 inches or longer and the largest was 9.3 inches and weighed 0.42 lbs.

White Bass, first caught in 2000, have been sampled in each of the previous three assessments (2008, 2010, 2012). In 2015, one White Bass was caught in a gill net. The fish was 16.9 inches and 2.20 pounds.

Yellow Perch were sampled in low abundance. The catch rate of 3.1/gill net was just above the 25th percentile of Class 25 lakes. The gill-netted fish ranged from 6.3 to 10.0 inches, with the average Yellow Perch measuring 7.7 inches and 0.20 pounds. Sampling over the last 11 years reflects low Yellow Perch abundances. From 2004-2015, gill net catches ranged from 0.63 - 8.7/net, averaging 3.4 fish per net.

Yellow Bullhead were abundant in the gill nets. At 7.5 fish per net, catch was near the 75th percentile for Class 25 lakes. Yellow Bullhead ranged from 7.7 to 13.6 inches, averaging 10.8 inches. Other fishes sampled in low abundance were Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.

During April 6 - April 10, 2015, an ice-out trap net assessment targeting Walleye was conducted on Lower Prior Lake. When the lake became ice-free, 10 nets were set, focusing effort on the southwest portion of the lake. One hundred sixty-five Walleye were sampled, and incidental catches of Northern Pike (8 fish) and Largemouth Bass (1 fish) were sampled. Large Walleye in spawning condition were abundant; the catch rate was 4.1 per trap net. Ninety-nine percent of the fish exceeded 15 inches and 21% exceeded 20 inches. The average size of Walleye was 18.3 inches and 2.26 pounds, and the largest fish was 26.6 inches. Eight Northern Pike were sampled, ranging in size from 18.1 inches to 33.3 inches. The average size was 26.7 inches and 4.69 pounds. One Largemouth Bass was sampled; its size was 16.9 inches and 3.14 pounds.

What is the average air temp for Lower Prior Lake?