Minnesota · Scott County
Lower Prior Lake Fishing guide
Lower Prior Lake sits in Scott County, Minnesota, and covers 956 acres, reaching 60 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 12.3 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 17 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 numbers3per gill net16"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 54 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 17 fish
2024Lengths measured · 37 fish
2021Lengths measured · 11 fish
2018Lengths measured · 29 fish
2015Largemouth bassPresent1.7per gill net10"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 32 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 22 fish
2018Lengths measured · 350 fish
2015No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few4.5per gill net24"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 69 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 37 fish
2024Lengths measured · 32 fish
2021Lengths measured · 27 fish
2018Lengths measured · 31 fish
2015BluegillFair numbers31.6per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 849 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 363 fish
2024Lengths measured · 486 fish
2021Lengths measured · 426 fish
2018Lengths measured · 222 fish
2015CrappieJust a few1.5per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 51 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 36 fish
2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2021Lengths measured · 76 fish
2018Lengths measured · 41 fish
2015Yellow perchJust a few1.1per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 14 fish
2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 20 fish
2018Lengths measured · 37 fish
2015Rates 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 Lower Prior Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 12.3 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 60 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. At 12.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 60 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22" | 17" | 36" |
| 2021 | 27" | 16" | 35" |
| 2018 | 26" | 14" | 28" |
| 2015 | 23" | 16" | 32" |
| 2012 | 25" | 14" | 35" |
| 2010 | 23" | 13" | 36" |
| 2008 | 26" | 11" | 32" |
| 2006 | 21" | 10" | 34" |
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 | 6,816 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 11,563 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 5,574 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,280 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 7,164 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 946 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 79 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Lower Prior Lake on September 9th 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 119 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 43.9 (+/- 2.3) out of 100 possible. A score of 43.9 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Very Poor (<50). Approximately 89 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 37.7 (+/- 1.8) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Very Poor (<50), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 94.9 (+/- 2.3) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lower Prior Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lower Prior 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
- Lower Prior Lake, Sand Point (trailer launch)
- Lower Prior Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Lower Prior Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Upper Prior Lake · 386 ac · 2.2 mi
- Crystal Lake · 31 ac · 2.5 mi
- McColl Pond · 23 ac · 2.7 mi
- Cleary Lake · 145 ac · 2.9 mi
- Murphy Lake · 45 ac · 3.7 mi
- Spring Lake · 592 ac · 3.8 mi
- Quarry Lake · 70 ac · 4.1 mi
- Sunset Pond · 45 ac · 4.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lower Prior Lake?
Lower Prior Lake reaches 60 ft at its deepest point; about 39% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lower Prior Lake?
Lower Prior Lake covers 956 acres with about 14.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lower Prior Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Lower Prior Lake average 12.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lower Prior Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white bass.
Is Lower Prior Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Lower Prior Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lower Prior Lake has 2 public access sites, including Lower Prior Lake, Sand Point (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lower Prior 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 2006.
When was Lower Prior Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lower Prior Lake in 2025, the most recent of 17 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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