Parley Lake

How big is Parley Lake?

How deep is Parley Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Parley Lake?

What are the closest cities to Parley Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Parley Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Parley Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Parley Lake

Are there boat launches on Parley Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Parley Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Parley Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Parley 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 Parley Lake?

Parley Lake is a 242-acre lake with a maximum depth of 18 feet. Parley is located northeast of the City of Waconia in central Carver County. Public water access is provided by the DNR on the southwest side of the lake near the intersection of County road 30 and Parley Lake Rd (up to 6 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). Parley is primarily managed for Walleye, Black Crappie, and Bluegill, but supports catchable populations of Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike.

A Standard Survey (gill nets and trap nets) was conducted on Lake Parley during the week of 6/29/2020 to assess the fishery. During the 2020 survey, Parley was highly productive (green stained water), with poor water clarity, measured at 2.0 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was zero parts per million (ppm) below 10 feet during the survey period. Eurasian Watermilfoil was confirmed present in Parley Lake in 2001 and remains present.

Walleye in Parley Lake are maintained through fry stocking in even numbered years. During the 2020 survey Walleye were sampled at historically high numbers (5.5/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes in the area. There were 33 Walleye sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 20.0 inches and the largest measured at 23.8 inches. Size indices show a balanced population (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Growth rates were fast compared to the statewide average, with an average length of 17.2 inches by age 4. High catch rates and large sizes should provide excellent angling opportunity for Walleye on Parley Lake.

Largemouth Bass are present in Lake Parley, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2020 survey due to COVID-19 sampling restrictions. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 6 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 14.6 inches and the largest measured at 17.1 inches.

Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (8.5/net) near the expected catch rate for similar lakes in the area. Although catch rates were down from the previous high in 2015 (12.7/net), size structure has increased substantially from 2015. The average length of Northern pike sampled in 2020 increased over 4 inches since the last survey in 2015. There were 50 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 25.8 inches, with the largest measured at 31.9 inches. Although lacking the largest individuals (34"+), moderate numbers likely keep competition low, allowing Northern Pike to grow fast, reaching desirable sizes.

Record high numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (104.9/net). There were 839 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2020 survey, the highest catch rate in the previous 25 years. Bluegill averaged 6.4 inches, with the largest measured at 8.9 inches. Bluegill are growing fast until age 5 (about 7 inches), after which there is a large drop in the number of age 6 (7+") fish sampled. While some of this could be attributed to natural mortality, it is likely that angler harvest plays a large part in the number of 7+" BLG available. High harvest mortality, fast growth, and the potential for large sizes has led us to recommend Parley lake as part of the Quality Panfish Initiative which would place a 5 bag limit on panfish (beginning spring 2021) in an effort to increase their overall size structure.

Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (15.3/net) and trap nets (18.0/net), near their expected catch rate. There were 236 Black Crappie sampled during the 2020 survey, with an average length of 8.3 inches, with the largest measured at 10.9 inches. Black Crappie are cyclical spawners with the ability to produce large year classes of offspring given the right environmental conditions. Over 70% of Black Crappie sampled came from two year classes (age 2 - 34%) and (age 4 - 38%). Despite these large year classes, growth remained fast with an average length of 7.2 inches at age 2, and an average length of 8.9 inches by age 4. Similar to Bluegill, when Black Crappie reach desirable sizes (9+") they are immediately removed from the system. Parley Lake will also have a reduced 5 bag limit on Black Crappie (beginning spring 2021) in an effort to improve Black Crappie size structure.

Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Parley Lake?