Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest August 21, 1995
Goose Lake FishingFWater-quality grade F
Minnesota DNR surveys at Goose Lake average 17.11 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 2 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 21, 1995. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 12–29 inches. In Carver County, Minnesota, Goose Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of F. Water clarity averages 1.2 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Goose Lake
12 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Goose Lake
No stocking record for Goose Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is an absence in the published record, not a confirmation that the lake is unstocked — some waters are managed as naturally reproducing and never appear in a stocking list at all.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Goose Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Goose Lake average 17.11 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 2 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 21, 1995. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 12–29 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Goose Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
2 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1995-08-21 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 261.33 | 0.17 lb |
| Northern Pike | 17.11 | 1.83 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 16.45 | 0.71 lb |
| Common Carp | 3.28 | 0.28 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 1.61 | 0.13 lb |
| Bluegill | 1.61 | 0.43 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Black Bullhead
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Common Carp
From the 1995-08-21 survey
The fish population was found to be dominated by black bullheads of small average size (approximately 6.0" in length). Small largemouth bass (about 10.5") and pumpkinseed sunfish (5.0) were also present in above average numbers. Northern pike were captured in numbers far below previous years standards and averaged…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Goose Lake. 2 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — GooseFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — GoosePublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Goose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Goose Lake average 17.11 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 2 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated August 21, 1995. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 12–29 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 12 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Goose Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Goose Lake is dated August 21, 1995. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Goose Lake stocked?
No stocking record for Goose Lake appears in the Minnesota DNR material on file. That is not the same as a confirmed unstocked lake: it means no stocking document was published for it in the records this page draws on.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Goose Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Goose Lake F from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Goose Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Goose Lake
Planning a trip to Goose Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Goose Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.