Minnesota · Chisago County
Goose Lake Fishing guide
Goose Lake sits in Chisago County, Minnesota, and covers 732 acres, reaching 55 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 5.6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.7per gill net18"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 70 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 29 fish
2025Lengths measured · 41 fish
2021Lengths measured · 56 fish
2016Lengths measured · 50 fish
2012Largemouth bassFair numbers35.7per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 143 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 95 fish
2025Lengths measured · 48 fish
2021Lengths measured · 17 fish
2016Lengths measured · 49 fish
2012No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeFair numbers7.9per gill net23"Typical38"Biggest
Lengths measured · 151 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 69 fish
2025Lengths measured · 82 fish
2021Lengths measured · 71 fish
2016Lengths measured · 98 fish
2012BluegillFair numbers42.5per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 2418 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 420 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1462 fish
2024Lengths measured · 536 fish
2021Lengths measured · 214 fish
2016CrappieJust a few3.8per trap net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 689 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 222 fish
2025Lengths measured · 335 fish
2024Lengths measured · 132 fish
2021Lengths measured · 382 fish
2016Yellow perchExcellent numbers20per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 362 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 257 fish
2025Lengths measured · 105 fish
2021Lengths measured · 102 fish
2016Lengths measured · 131 fish
2012Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Goose Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 55 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 55 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26" | 19" | 33" |
| 2021 | 26" | 18" | 38" |
| 2016 | 27" | 17" | 36" |
| 2012 | 25" | 19" | 34" |
| 2007 | 24" | 18" | 29" |
| 2002 | 24" | 16" | 26" |
| 1997 | 27" | 21" | 35" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 4,606 fingerlings · 258 yearlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 3,178 fingerlings · 969 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 18,127 fingerlings · 1,003 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 6,840 fingerlings · 16 adults |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,052 fingerlings · 311 yearlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,251 yearlings · 23 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 2,940 fingerlings · 3,120 yearlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 5,775 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 665 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 7,711 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Goose Lake is a 754-acre lake in northwestern Chisago County located eight miles northeast of Cambridge and is within the Lower St. Croix River Watershed. Goose Lake has a north/south orientation and has two distinct basins divided by Goose Lake Narrows Road. The northern basin has a maximum depth of 8 feet, is heavily vegetated, and subject to low winter oxygen levels. The overall lake has a maximum depth is 55 feet and an average depth of 15 feet. The lake is 49% littoral (15 feet or less, 370 acres). Water clarity is low with Secchi depths to 3 feet. Its color is green due to algae blooms. Goose Creek is the main inlet and outlet that flows through Goose Lake from southwest to northeast. Goose Lake is connected to Rabour and Mandall lakes to the south, and Goose Creek flows into Mandall Lake from the west. Goose Creek then flows north and exits the northern basin of Goose Lake on its southeastern shore. Vegetation Surveys in 2019 and 2020 showed that vegetation is dense, growing lakewide to depths of 9 feet. Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Watermilfoil, non-native invasive species, are common. Substrates consist primarily of sand, muck, with some gravel. The lake is highly developed along shorelines where development can occur and has approximately 91 homes. A state-owned access is located on the eastern shore of the northern basin off County Road 8. It has a gravel parking lot that accommodates 8 vehicles with trailers.
There have been a total of 15 fish surveys completed to monitor for changes in species composition, number, and length distribution. The most recent surveys were conducted in 2002, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2021, and 2025. The current planned survey frequency is approximately every 4 years. Goose Lake has two special regulations: a 17" minimum for Walleye (statewide possession limit) and a reduced possession limit of 5 crappie. Primarily management species are Walleye and Black Crappie, while secondary species include Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. Anglers fishing Goose Lake can expect moderate numbers of quality sized Walleye, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass.
Read the full DNR narrative
In 2025, the Walleye gill net catch rate was 3.2/net, which compares to the average of 5.7/net. The 29 Walleye sampled ranged from 8.6 to 26.4 inches and had an average length of 17.5 inches. Walleyes over 25 inches have been sampled in five of the past eight surveys including the 2025 survey. Walleyes over 20 inches have been sampled in all of the past 8 surveys. This population has an above average proportion of Walleye over 15 inches. Catch rates for individual stocked Walleye year classes have remained constant since the early 2010s at around 1.0 fish/net. Prior to the 2010s the catch rates were more boom or bust, indicating that the current stocking plan is providing a stable Walleye fishery.
The Black Crappie gill and trap net catch rates were above and below average. The gill net catch in 2025 was 22.3/net, which compares to the average of 15.1/net. The trap net catch was 2.3/net, which compares to the average of 11.1/net. Crappie caught in gill nets ranged in length from 4.3 to 11.0 inches and had an average length of 6.7 inches. Black Crappies over 10 inches have been sampled in the past seven surveys, while crappie over 12 inches have never been sampled. This population currently has a low proportion of fish over eight inches and a high proportion of fish over ten inches. Overall, anglers that fish Goose Lake for crappies can expect to catch moderate numbers of 10 to 11-inch fish.
A total of 64 Northern Pike were sampled in gill nets in 2025 which resulted in a catch rate of 7.1/net. Catch rates have exceeded 7/net each of the past four surveys. Research indicates pike catch rates over 7.5/net are undesirable, as they are usually associated with higher density populations having poor size structure and slow growth. Higher pike densities can also have detrimental effects on stocked Walleye survival and perch populations. Perch are often a primary prey species. The 64 pike sampled ranged from 16.9 to 34.0 inches and averaged 25.5 inches. Pike over 28 inches have been sampled in all but one of the past eight surveys. This pike population has a higher proportion of fish over 21 inches. Overall, anglers that fish Goose Lake for pike can expect to catch moderate numbers of average sized pike with a chance of catching one over 28 inches.
Night electrofishing surveys to evaluate Largemouth Bass relative abundance and size structure were conducted in June 2025 for the eighth consecutive survey. The 2025 catch rate was 44/hour which was the highest observed. Lengths of bass sampled ranged from 3.9 to 19.1 inches and averaged 11.8 inches. Bass over 20 inches were only sampled in the 1997 survey, while bass over 15 inches were sampled in all eight. Goose Lake has above average proportions of bass over 12 and 15 inches.
Bluegill trap net catch rates in 2025 were the second highest ever observed. The trap net catch in 2025 of 33/net, compares to the average of 13/net. Bluegill lengths ranged from 0.8 to 8.5 inches and averaged 5.8 inches in trap nets. A 9.3 inch Bluegill was sampled in a gill net. This population has an average proportion of fish over 6 inches and a below average proportion of fish over 8 inches. Anglers targeting Bluegill on Goose Lake can expect to catch higher numbers of 6 to 8 inch fish.
Yellow Perch gill net catch rates have remained moderate to high throughout all surveys, when compared to other area lakes. Catch rates in 2025 were 28.7/net and compare to the average of 11.0/net. The perch sampled in 2025 ranged from 0.6 to 10.6 inches and had an average length of 6.1 inches. The 2025 survey is the first survey to sample a 10 inch perch. The average size is likely too small to interest anglers; however, they can be an important prey source for most gamefish targeted by anglers.
Other species sampled included: Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Burbot, Central Mudminnow, Common Carp, Common Shiner, Green Sunfish, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Pumpkinseed, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Goose Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Goose Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Goose Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Goose Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Neander Lake · 57 ac · 1.4 mi
- Mandall Lake · 47 ac · 1.5 mi
- Rabour Lake · 53 ac · 1.9 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 224 ac · 2.5 mi
- Krans Lake · 35 ac · 3.2 mi
- Fish Lake · 319 ac · 3.8 mi
- East Rush Lake · 1,494 ac · 4.5 mi
- West Rush Lake · 1,594 ac · 4.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Goose Lake?
Goose Lake reaches 55 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 15 ft; about 51% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Goose Lake?
Goose Lake covers 732 acres with about 7.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Goose Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Goose Lake average 5.6 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Goose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Goose Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Goose Lake have a public access?
Yes. Goose Lake has one public access site: Goose Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Goose Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was Goose Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Goose Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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