Minnesota · Hennepin County
Harriet Lake Fishing guide
Harriet Lake is a 341-acre lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, reaching 87 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 10.1 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers6per gill net16"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 50 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 50 fish
2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2019Lengths measured · 11 fish
2014Lengths measured · 17 fish
2009Northern pikeFair numbers7.4per gill net24"Typical38"Biggest
Lengths measured · 65 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 65 fish
2024Lengths measured · 77 fish
2019Lengths measured · 57 fish
2014Lengths measured · 14 fish
2009Present and managed by the DNR.
BluegillGood numbers64.6per trap net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1276 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 1276 fish
2024Lengths measured · 1212 fish
2019Lengths measured · 1641 fish
2014Lengths measured · 2909 fish
2009CrappieJust a few2.3per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 26 fish
2024Lengths measured · 57 fish
2019Lengths measured · 36 fish
2014Lengths measured · 41 fish
2009Yellow perchExcellent numbers17.8per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 142 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 142 fish
2024Lengths measured · 33 fish
2019Lengths measured · 34 fish
2014Lengths measured · 102 fish
2009Last recorded in the 1984 survey and not seen since.
Rates 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 Harriet Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 10.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 87 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 10.1 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 87 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26" | 38" | 7" |
| 2019 | 23" | 36" | 19" |
| 2014 | 27" | 38" | 12" |
| 2009 | 27" | 35" | 14" |
| 2005 | 27" | 36" | 6" |
| 2003 | 24" | 34" | 11" |
| 2000 | 26" | 33" | 8" |
| 1994 | 27" | 32" | 14" |
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
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
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
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 | Muskellunge | 85 fingerlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,522 yearlings |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 85 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 107 fingerlings · 389 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,148 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 85 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 3,601 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 85 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,672 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Least Darter | 174 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,865 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 85 fingerlings |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Harriet is a 341-acre (85 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 82 feet. Harriet is located in south Minneapolis in eastern Hennepin County. Harriet is primarily managed for Walleye (fingerling stocked annually) and Muskellunge (fingerling stocked during even-numbered years), but includes catchable populations of Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. Public water access is provided by the City of Minneapolis on the northwest side of the lake off William Berry Pkwy and Lake Harriet Pkwy (up to 10 vehicle/trailer parking spaces).
A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/8 gill nets) was conducted on Lake Harriet during the week of 7/08/2024 to monitor water quality and fish populations. Water clarity was moderate with a measured Secchi reading of 10 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen fell below 2 parts per million (ppm) below 18 feet, meaning fish would be unlikely to use water depths greater than 18 feet during mid-summer. Zebra Mussels and Eurasian Watermilfoil have been found in Lake Harriet and remain present.
Read the full DNR narrative
High numbers of Walleye were sampled with gill nets (6.0/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. The 2024 netting recorded the highest Lake Harriet Walleye catch rate in the previous 30 years. There were 45 Walleye sampled in gill nets in 2024, with an average length of 15.7 inches and the largest measured at 26.8 inches. With no natural reproduction, annual stocking has maintained a balanced population (a middle ground between high numbers of small fish and low numbers of large fish). Walleye growth in Harriet was fast compared to similar lakes across the metro, indicated by an average length of 16.1 inches by age 3. High numbers, quality size, and fast growth has created a unique opportunity for anglers to pursue Walleye in the heart of Minneapolis.
Muskellunge are not effectively sampled with the gear used in the summer fisheries survey. However, one Muskellunge was incidentally captured with trap nets, measuring 44.1 inches.
High numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (7.4/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 59 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets in 2024, with an average size of 24.7 inches and the largest measured at 38.2 inches. In spite of high numbers, Harriet provides excellent harvest opportunity with a possession limit of 10 and nearly 70% of sampled fish falling outside of the protected slot (22 to 26 inches). Despite an excellent opportunity for harvest, anglers should check the latest fish consumption guidelines (https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/fish/index.html).
High numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (64.6/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 581 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 6.9 inches and the largest measured at 8.5 inches. The 2024 netting recorded the highest average sized Bluegill in the previous 30 years of sampling. High numbers and large average size (over 60% of fish sampled measured greater than 7 inches) should provide excellent angling opportunities.
Low numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (0.6/net) and trap nets (2.3/net) below the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 26 Black Crappie sampled during the 2024 survey, with an average length of 8.5 inches and the largest measured at 10.1 inches. Although the present size of Black Crappies would be desirable to anglers, low numbers may make angling difficult.
Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Harriet Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Harriet 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
- Lake Harriet (trailer launch)
- Harriet Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Harriet Shore Fishing Site (shore fishing)
- Harriet Shore Fishing Site (shore fishing)
DNR bathymetry
Harriet Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bde Maka Ska Lake · 424 ac · 1.4 mi
- Wolfe Park Lake · 3 ac · 2 mi
- Lake of the Isles · 114 ac · 2.4 mi
- Cedar Lake · 164 ac · 2.7 mi
- Powderhorn Lake · 11 ac · 2.8 mi
- Cornelia Lake · 53 ac · 3.2 mi
- Nokomis Lake · 201 ac · 3.2 mi
- Taft Lake · 14 ac · 3.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Harriet Lake?
Harriet Lake reaches 87 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 29 ft; about 25% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Harriet Lake?
Harriet Lake covers 341 acres with about 2.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Harriet Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Harriet Lake average 10.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Harriet Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rainbow trout.
Is Harriet Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does Harriet Lake have a public access?
Yes. Harriet Lake has 4 public access sites, including Lake Harriet (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Harriet 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 1994.
When was Harriet Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Harriet Lake in 2024, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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