Minnesota · Hennepin County
Independence Lake Fishing guide
Independence Lake is a 832-acre lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, reaching 58 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers6.7per gill net19"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 130 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2025Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 73 fish
2025Lengths measured · 55 fish
2022Lengths measured · 36 fish
2019Largemouth bassJust a few1.5per hr (electrofishing)7"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2025Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2022Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2019Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few1.9per gill net26"Typical38"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2025Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 28 fish
2025Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Lengths measured · 18 fish
2019Present and managed by the DNR.
BluegillGood numbers52.2per trap net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 2392 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 565 fish
2025Lengths measured · 711 fish
2025Lengths measured · 1116 fish
2022Lengths measured · 1214 fish
2019CrappieJust a few5.9per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 422 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 32 fish
2025Lengths measured · 258 fish
2025Lengths measured · 132 fish
2022Lengths measured · 475 fish
2019Yellow perchExcellent numbers30.5per gill net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 563 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2025Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 274 fish
2025Lengths measured · 288 fish
2022Lengths measured · 183 fish
2019Rates 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 Independence Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 58 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. In 3.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 58 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 | 28" | 16" | 38" |
| 2022 | 28" | 6" | 34" |
| 2019 | 27" | 6" | 32" |
| 2016 | 26" | 16" | 37" |
| 2013 | 29" | 14" | 35" |
| 2010 | 29" | 16" | 35" |
| 2007 | 23" | 11" | 31" |
| 2006 | 28" | 10" | 33" |
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 · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
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 | 16,150 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 425 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 2,273 fingerlings · 1,108 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 11,475 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 425 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 20,045 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,208 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 6,700 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 424 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 9,505 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 431 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 433 fingerlings · 1,612 yearlings |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Independence Lake, was conducted on June 16-June 18, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment Program (LBMA) staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 10 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at one station. Three stations were not seined due to dense cattails and soft substrate making station foot traversal difficult. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including one species that's intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Muskellunge) and three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish).
A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA staff. 12 trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 14 species of fish. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the catch by number and biomass.
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Muskellunge), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Independence Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the South Fork Crow River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Independence Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Independence Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Independence 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 Indepenence, Baker Park Reserve (trailer launch)
- Independence Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Independence Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Half Moon Lake · 33 ac · 1.3 mi
- Spurzem Lake · 82 ac · 1.7 mi
- Sarah Lake · 557 ac · 2.7 mi
- Rebecca Lake · 263 ac · 5 mi
- Long Lake · 285 ac · 5.4 mi
- Dutch Lake · 175 ac · 6.1 mi
- Little Long Lake · 70 ac · 6.3 mi
- Minnetonka Lake · 14,206 ac · 7.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Independence Lake?
Independence Lake reaches 58 ft at its deepest point; about 51% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Independence Lake?
Independence Lake covers 832 acres with about 7.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Independence Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Independence Lake average 3.8 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Independence Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Independence Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does Independence Lake have a public access?
Yes. Independence Lake has 2 public access sites, including Lake Indepenence, Baker Park Reserve (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Independence Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2006.
When was Independence Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Independence Lake in 2025, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Independence Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Independence Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report