Minnesota · Dakota County
Marion Lake Fishing guide
Marion Lake is a 530-acre lake in Dakota County, Minnesota, reaching 21 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 9 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Northern pikeJust a few5.3per gill net23"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 42 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 42 fish
2021Lengths measured · 52 fish
2017Lengths measured · 99 fish
2011Lengths measured · 49 fish
2005BluegillPresent5.9per gill net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 403 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 356 fish
2021Lengths measured · 47 fish
2021Lengths measured · 307 fish
2017Lengths measured · 467 fish
2011CrappiePresent1.4per gill net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 34 fish
2017Lengths measured · 262 fish
2011Lengths measured · 38 fish
2005Yellow perchFair numbers2.1per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 17 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 17 fish
2021Lengths measured · 4 fish
2017Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 92 fish
2011Lengths measured · 12 fish
2005Rates 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 Marion 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 86% 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 86% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 24" | 16" | 28" |
| 2017 | 24" | 19" | 30" |
| 2016 | — | 18" | — |
| 2011 | 26" | 17" | 32" |
| 2005 | 26" | 17" | 27" |
| 2000 | 28" | 19" | 30" |
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 · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Swim Jig + Paddletail Trailer
3.5–4.5" paddletail trailer on a bullet-nosed swim jig
Northern pike · Hardbaits
Weedless Spoon + Trailer (Silver Minnow)
3/8–1/2 oz weedless spoon
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
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 | 114,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 114,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,419 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 7,560 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 454,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 456,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 455,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 460,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
Lake Marion is a 530 acre lake located in western Dakota County. It is primarily managed for Walleye, and secondarily for Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill. The 2021 spring trap netting survey was conducted to provide baseline information on Bluegill for the new 5-fish bag limit experimental fishing regulation that went into effect in 2021. The goal of this regulation on Marion Lake is to increase the size structure of Bluegill.
Nine trap nets were set on May 17, 2021 and lifted on May 18, 2021 catching a total of 355 Bluegill. Bluegill ranged in size from 3.5 inches up to 7.3 inches in length, with an average size of 5.5 inches. Aging structures (otoliths) were collected from 68 Bluegill. The largest number of fish were from 2016 (5 years old). The oldest Bluegill sampled in 2021 was determined to be from the 2012 year-class (9 years old). The size structure of Bluegill found in Marion Lake is below average for for East Metro-area lakes, with only 3% of the fish 7 inches or larger.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Marion Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Marion 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
- Marion Lake (trailer launch)
- Marion Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Marion Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Marion Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Orchard Lake · 238 ac · 2.3 mi
- Crystal Lake · 293 ac · 3.7 mi
- Murphy Lake · 45 ac · 3.9 mi
- Sweetbrier Lake · 20 ac · 4.3 mi
- Wood Park Lake · 14 ac · 5 mi
- Cleary Lake · 145 ac · 5.3 mi
- Sunset Pond · 45 ac · 5.9 mi
- McMahon Lake · 187 ac · 6.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Marion Lake?
Marion Lake reaches 21 ft at its deepest point; about 86% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Marion Lake?
Marion Lake covers 530 acres with about 10.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Marion Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Marion Lake average 9 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Marion Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Marion Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Marion Lake have a public access?
Yes. Marion Lake has 3 public access sites, including Marion Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Marion Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2000.
When was Marion Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Marion Lake in 2021, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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