Minnesota · Morrison County
Pierz Lake Fishing guide
Pierz Lake is a 189-acre lake in Morrison County, Minnesota, reaching 34 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 11.1 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.5per gill net20"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 32 fish
Recent · 2020 + 2022Lengths measured · 5 fish
2022Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 27 fish
2020Lengths measured · 3 fish
2014Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2014Largemouth bassPresent6per gill net9"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 38 fish
Recent · 2020 + 2022Lengths measured · 2 fish
2022Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 36 fish
2020Lengths measured · 825 fish
2018Lengths measured · 206 fish
2016Northern pikeJust a few2per gill net23"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2020 + 2022Lengths measured · 3 fish
2022Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2020Lengths measured · 3 fish
2014Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 10 fish
2014BluegillPresent3per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 282 fish
Recent · 2020 + 2022Lengths measured · 264 fish
2022Lengths measured · 18 fish
2020Lengths measured · 446 fish
2014Lengths measured · 1 fish
2014Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappiePresent1.7per gill net10"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 73 fish
Recent · 2020 + 2022Lengths measured · 63 fish
2022Lengths measured · 10 fish
2020Lengths measured · 4 fish
2018Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 25 fish
2014Yellow perchFair numbers2per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2020 + 2022Lengths measured · 1 fish
2022Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2020Lengths measured · 8 fish
2011Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2008Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
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 Pierz Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 11.1 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.
- 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 11.1 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.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 26" | 13" | 24" |
| 2020 | 23" | 16" | 32" |
| 2018 | — | 19" | — |
| 2016 | — | 16" | — |
| 2014 | 24" | 18" | 31" |
| 2011 | 26" | 16" | 31" |
| 2008 | 27" | 19" | 27" |
| 2002 | 25" | 19" | 29" |
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
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 · 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 | 66 yearlings · 55 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,772 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 612 fingerlings · 5 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 17,672 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 82 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
A targeted survey was completed June 8-14 to assess size structure of Bluegill and Black Crappie. Previous spring trap netting occurred in 2005, 2011 and 2014. In 2020, sampling was canceled due to Covid 19 restrictions. General observations suggest Bluegill and crappie size structure may be increasing as proportions of larger fish sampled have trended upward since 2005.
A total of 265 Bluegills were caught, average size was 6.5 inches and maximum length was 8.9 inches. Thirty percent of the catch exceeded 7 inches and seven percent exceeded 8 inches. There were no Bluegill over 9 inches caught. Percentages of fish over 7 and 8 inches in 2014 were similar, however, since 2005 spring trap net samples have trended toward higher percentages of larger fish.
Read the full DNR narrative
A total of 63 crappies were caught, average length was 9.8 inches and maximum length was 11.9 inches. Sixty-two percent of the sample exceeded 10 inches. This compares to 2014 data in which 22 percent of the sample exceeded 10 inches. Spring trap netting has never sampled any crappies measuring 12 inches or greater. Similar to Bluegills, crappie size structure 2005-2022 is trending upward.
Growth analysis of Bluegills and crappies find that both species grow better in Pierz-Fish Lake compared to recent averages documented from other lakes in the Little Falls Management Area. The presence of larger panfish, particularly Black Crappie coupled with impressive growth characteristics suggest Pierz-Fish Lake has the potential to produce high-quality angling opportunities. Future management planning will consider these data in developing strategies to maintain and/or improve populations toward higher numbers of larger fish.
Other species captured during this survey included Pumpkinseed (5.5-inch average size) and several large, Bigmouth Buffalo which are plankton feeders and native to Minnesota.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Pierz Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Pierz 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
- Pierz Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Pierz Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Green Prairie Fish Lake · 183 ac · 13.5 mi
- Sullivan Lake · 1,103 ac · 15.6 mi
- Round Lake · 130 ac · 15.7 mi
- Little Rock Lake · 1,311 ac · 16.3 mi
- Sebie Lake · 185 ac · 16.4 mi
- Peavy Lake · 141 ac · 17.1 mi
- Platte Lake · 1,663 ac · 17.5 mi
- Mayhew Lake · 128 ac · 18.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pierz Lake?
Pierz Lake reaches 34 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 20 ft; about 34% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pierz Lake?
Pierz Lake covers 189 acres with about 3.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pierz Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Pierz Lake average 11.1 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pierz Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Pierz Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Pierz Lake have a public access?
Yes. Pierz Lake has one public access site: Pierz Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Pierz 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 2002.
When was Pierz Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pierz Lake in 2022, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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