Minnesota · Scott County
Upper Prior Lake Fishing guide
Upper Prior Lake covers 386 acres in Scott County, Minnesota, reaching 50 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 3.1 ft. 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 2025Excellent numbers6per gill net17"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 75 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 10 fish
2025Lengths measured · 41 fish
2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2021Lengths measured · 14 fish
2018Largemouth bassJust a few18.2per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 31 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2025Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 18 fish
2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 3 fish
2018Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeLast stocked 2025Just a few3.3per gill net23"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2025Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 22 fish
2024Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2018BluegillFair numbers31.4per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 858 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 237 fish
2025Lengths measured · 385 fish
2024Lengths measured · 236 fish
2021Lengths measured · 376 fish
2018CrappieJust a few7.2per trap net8"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 207 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 26 fish
2025Lengths measured · 170 fish
2024Lengths measured · 11 fish
2021Lengths measured · 164 fish
2018Yellow perchFair numbers3.8per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 1 fish
2025Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 32 fish
2018White bassGood numbers2.8per gill net15"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 10 fish
2024Lengths measured · 14 fish
2021Lengths measured · 11 fish
2018Lengths measured · 2 fish
2015Only 2 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 Upper Prior Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.1 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 50 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 3.1 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 50 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 | 23" | 14" | 25" |
| 2024 | 25" | 15" | 37" |
| 2021 | 27" | 16" | 30" |
| 2018 | 26" | 13" | 30" |
| 2015 | 23" | 15" | 33" |
| 2012 | 27" | 14" | 23" |
| 2010 | 25" | 17" | 34" |
| 2008 | 22" | 17" | — |
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 · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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 | Northern Pike | 1 adults |
| 2025 | Walleye | 5,264 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,951 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 4,917 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 780 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 3,842 fingerlings · 555 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 54 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Upper Prior Lake was conducted beginning on June 23, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) Program 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 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample all 10 stations. Nearshore sampling captured 15 species of fish including two species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter and Mimic Shiner) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead and Green sunfish).
A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 10 species of fish, none that are intolerant of disturbance and one that is tolerant of disturbance (I.e., Black Bullhead). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number and comprised a majority by biomass.
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net survey conducted during the week of July 29, 2024 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., Iowa Darter and Minic Shiner), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Green sunfish). 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.
The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Lower Minnesota River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Upper Prior Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Upper Prior Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Upper 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
- Upper Prior Lake, Dewitt (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Upper Prior Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Crystal Lake · 31 ac · 1 mi
- Spring Lake · 592 ac · 1.6 mi
- Lower Prior Lake · 956 ac · 2.2 mi
- Cleary Lake · 145 ac · 3.1 mi
- O'Dowd Lake · 301 ac · 3.9 mi
- Fish Lake · 176 ac · 4.2 mi
- Thole Lake · 119 ac · 4.6 mi
- McColl Pond · 23 ac · 4.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Upper Prior Lake?
Upper Prior Lake reaches 50 ft at its deepest point; about 85% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Upper Prior Lake?
Upper Prior Lake covers 386 acres with about 6.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Upper Prior Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Upper Prior Lake average 3.1 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Upper Prior Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, white bass.
Is Upper Prior Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked northern pike and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Upper Prior Lake have a public access?
Yes. Upper Prior Lake has one public access site: Upper Prior Lake, Dewitt (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Upper 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 2008.
When was Upper Prior Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Upper Prior Lake in 2025, the most recent of 17 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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