Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 20, 2015
Union Lake FishingDWater-quality grade D
Minnesota DNR surveys at Union Lake average 10.58 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 20, 2015. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 13–26 inches. In Rice County, Minnesota, Union Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of D. Water clarity averages 3.0 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.
Stocking at Union Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Union 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 Union Lake average 10.58 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 20, 2015. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 13–26 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Union Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
3 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2015-07-20 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 98.02 | 0.21 lb |
| Common Carp | 56.44 | 0.48 lb |
| Black Crappie | 20.20 | 0.19 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 12.59 | 0.16 lb |
| White Sucker | 10.89 | 1.22 lb |
| Northern Pike | 10.58 | 2.4 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
Common Carp
Black Crappie
Yellow Perch
From the 2015-07-20 survey
Union Lake is a 403 acre lake located in Rice County near the town of Little Chicago. A county-owned earthen access is located on the northeast side of the lake off Rice County Highway 46. Union Lake has a maximum depth of 10 feet and is placed in Lake Class 43, which includes other Waterville Area Lakes such as…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Union Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — UnionFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — UnionFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — UnionPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Union Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Union Lake average 10.58 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 3 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 20, 2015. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 13–26 inches. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Union Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Union Lake is dated July 20, 2015. 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 Union Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Union Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Union Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Union Lake D from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 3 years of monitoring is declining. 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 Union Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Union Lake
Planning a trip to Union Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Union Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.