Minnesota · Carver County
Lotus Lake Fishing guide
Lotus Lake is a 245-acre lake in Carver County, Minnesota, reaching 29 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 5.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers10per gill net18"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 144 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 82 fish
2025Lengths measured · 62 fish
2021Lengths measured · 39 fish
2015Lengths measured · 27 fish
2010Largemouth bassFair numbers34.4per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2025Lengths measured · 69 fish
2021Lengths measured · 9 fish
2015Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2010Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few2.6per gill net26"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 32 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 27 fish
2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2021Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2015Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2010Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillOne of the best around146.6per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 3045 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 2087 fish
2025Lengths measured · 958 fish
2021Lengths measured · 707 fish
2015Lengths measured · 744 fish
2010CrappieFair numbers12.6per trap net7"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 310 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 129 fish
2025Lengths measured · 181 fish
2021Lengths measured · 207 fish
2015Lengths measured · 30 fish
2010Yellow perchGood numbers5.8per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 72 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 57 fish
2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2021Lengths measured · 7 fish
2015Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 26 fish
2010No recent survey rating.
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 Lotus 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. With 74% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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. With 74% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 | 27" | 16" | 32" |
| 2021 | 24" | 19" | 33" |
| 2015 | 26" | 16" | 34" |
| 2010 | 23" | 17" | 24" |
| 2006 | 23" | 18" | — |
| 2004 | 27" | 18" | 37" |
| 1999 | 23" | 18" | 32" |
| 1994 | 23" | 19" | 32" |
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 | 278 yearlings · 997 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 6,356 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,995 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 6,459 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 63 yearlings · 9 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Lotus is a 245-acre (182 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 29 feet. Lotus is located north of Chanhassen in northeastern Carver County. Lotus is primarily managed for Walleye and Largemouth Bass but also supports catchable populations of Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike. Walleye fingerlings are stocked in odd numbered years at a rate of 2 pounds per littoral acre (364). Public water access (concreate ramp; up to 10 vehicle/trailer parking spaces) is located on the southeast side of the lake off state highway 101 and is maintained by the City of Chanhassen.
A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was conducted on Lotus Lake during the week of 6/30/2025 to monitor water characteristics and fish populations. Water color was brown/green, with moderate water clarity, measured at 8 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen fell to zero parts per million at 20 feet, meaning fish would be unable to use water depths greater than 20 feet during mid-summer. Eurasian Watermilfoil, Brittle Naiad, and Zebra Mussels have been found in Lotus Lake and remain present, providing a good reminder of the clean, drain, dispose law which helps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species:
Read the full DNR narrative
Clean all aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other invasive species from boats, trailers, and water-related equipment.
Drain water from your boat, ballast tanks, motor, live well and bait container. Remove drain plugs and keep drain plugs out while transporting equipment.
Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. To keep live bait, drain the water and refill the bait container with bottled or tap water.
High numbers of Walleye were sampled with gill nets (10.5/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. The 2025 catch rate was the highest recorded on Lotus Lake in the previous 30 years. There were 63 Walleye sampled in gill nets, with an average length of 18.8 inches and the largest measured at 25.8 inches. Size structure remains balanced (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Walleye growth in Lotus was fast early on and slowed at older ages, indicated by an average length of 17.5 inches by age 3 and 19.9 inches by age 6. High catch rates and desirable sizes should provide excellent angling opportunity for Walleye in Lotus Lake.
Largemouth Bass are present in Lotus Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2025 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 11 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 12.1 inches and the largest measured at 16.4 inches.
Very high numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (213.4/net), well above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 1,921 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2025 survey, with an average length of 6.0 inches and the largest measured at 8.1 inches. Despite extremely high numbers of Bluegill, nearly 20% of fish sampled were greater than 7 inches.
Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (5.8/net) and trap nets (10.6/net), near the expected catch rate for both gears. There were 182 Black Crappie sampled during the 2025 survey, with an average length of 6.8 inches and the largest measured at 10.4 inches. The majority of Black Crappie (97%) measured less than 9 inches, providing little interest to anglers at their current size structure.
Moderate numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (4.5/net) near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. Despite a modest number of pike sampled, the 2025 netting represents the highest catch rate of Northern Pike on Lotus Lake in the previous 30 years. There were 27 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 26.0 inches and the largest measured at 32.8 inches. Despite increasing numbers, Northern Pike size structure remains at desirable levels.
Other fish species sampled during the survey include Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lotus Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lotus 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
- South Lotus Lake, Park (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lotus Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lucy Lake · 88 ac · 1.5 mi
- Ann Lake · 116 ac · 1.6 mi
- Christmas Lake · 267 ac · 1.6 mi
- Susan Lake · 88 ac · 1.8 mi
- Round Lake · 31 ac · 1.9 mi
- Mitchell Lake · 114 ac · 2.1 mi
- Riley Lake · 296 ac · 2.8 mi
- Red Rock Lake · 97 ac · 3.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lotus Lake?
Lotus Lake reaches 29 ft at its deepest point; about 74% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lotus Lake?
Lotus Lake covers 245 acres with about 4.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lotus Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Lotus Lake average 5.3 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lotus Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Lotus Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Lotus Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lotus Lake has one public access site: South Lotus Lake, Park (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lotus Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Lotus Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lotus Lake in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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