Minnesota · Pope County
Goose Lake Fishing guide
Goose Lake covers 324 acres in Pope County, Minnesota, reaching 17 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 6.5 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 2 times, most recently in 2019, with largemouth bass and bluegill in the nets. That survey is 7 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassOne of the best around128.5per hr (electrofishing)6"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 365 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2019Lengths measured · 142 fish
2019Lengths measured · 223 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
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.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze. A 17-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Bluegill
- Spring
- Bluegill are on the beds in firm-bottomed shallows, in colonies of dozens. On a clear lake those colonies sit deeper than you expect.
- Early summer
- Bluegill are off the beds and onto the weed edges and brush, the biggest ones pulling out first.
- Summer
- Bluegill are on the deep weedline of a stratified lake, sliding out as the surface starts back down.
- Fall
- Bluegill are back up onto the flats and into the last green weeds, feeding hard while the shallows still hold heat. A 17-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Largemouth bass | Bluegill |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 18" | 3" |
| 2012 | 16" | — |
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:
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Bluegill · Live bait
Clip-On Bobber + Worm
half to whole garden nightcrawler
Bluegill · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 35 adults |
| 2021 | Black Crappie | 42 adults |
| 2021 | Bluegill Sunfish | 34 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2019 survey
Goose Lake is a shallow basin located five miles south of Terrace in Pope County. Maximum depth is approximately 17.0 feet. Winterkill events were common on Goose Lake prior to water levels rising in recent decades. Increasing water levels are evidenced by dead standing timber fringing the shoreline. Increased depth and moderating winters have allowed establishment of a fishery following stocking of adult fish in 2008. Dense algal blooms used to be common during summer months, but water clarity has been increasing in recent years. A primitive carry-in public access exists on the east side of the lake. Access to the lake with trailered boats is challenged by a steep trail of approximately 200 yards to the lake. Very little development has occurred on Goose Lake. The lack of development and limited access offers a unique "remote" setting in southern Pope County.
Introductory stockings of adult Bluegill and Largemouth Bass were completed in the spring of 2008. Other adult stockings in 2012 included Bluegill and Black Crappie. Largemouth Bass stocking was very successful. Largemouth bass are very abundant. Daytime electrofishing yielded 138.3 bass per hour. Mean length of Largemouth Bass sampled by electrofishing was 13.2 inches. The largest bass captured measured 18.7 inches. Growth is rapid as bass are reaching 12.0 inches by age 3.
Read the full DNR narrative
Bluegill and Black Crappie stocking has not been successful. No Black Crappie were observed during the survey and only a few small Bluegill were caught.
Black Bullheads, Green Sunfish and White Suckers are also present in Goose Lake. Although, increasing Largemouth Bass abundance has reduced abundance of these three species. Drastic improvements in water clarity has been observed in recent years and is likely a result of biological control and limited recruitment of bullheads, Green Sunfish and suckers.
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 (carry-in)
DNR bathymetry
Goose Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Scandinavian Lake · 417 ac · 1.1 mi
- Gilchrist Lake · 336 ac · 2.9 mi
- Lake Linka · 178 ac · 3.7 mi
- Camp Lake · 230 ac · 3.8 mi
- Lake Johanna · 1,399 ac · 5.7 mi
- Nelson Lake · 293 ac · 8 mi
- Monson Lake · 208 ac · 8.6 mi
- Signalness Lake · 42 ac · 11.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Goose Lake?
Goose Lake reaches 17 ft at its deepest point.
How big is Goose Lake?
Goose Lake covers 324 acres with about 4.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Goose Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Goose Lake average 6.5 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Goose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2019) record largemouth bass, bluegill.
Is Goose Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked black crappie in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2021.
Does Goose Lake have a public access?
Yes. Goose Lake has one public access site: Goose Lake (carry-in).
How big do largemouth bass get in Goose Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 18"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2012.
When was Goose Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Goose Lake in 2019, the most recent of 2 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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