Minnesota · ranked from DNR surveys
Best yellow perch lakes in Scott County
The DNR has surveyed yellow perch in 15 lakes in Scott County. The 6 ranked below are the ones that earn a grade on this site. Grades come from survey catch rates, fish size and trophy history, scored the same way for every lake on the live map.
Cedar Lake is first at A. The DNR caught 15 yellow perch per gill net in the 2021 survey, and the biggest was 13 inches. Spring Lake is second at A−, with 15.4 yellow perch per gill net in the 2025 survey, and 3% of its yellow perch measured over 9 inches. McMahon Lake is third at B+, and its biggest yellow perch was 9 inches.
| # | Lake | Grade | Acres | Survey catch rate | Over 9" | Biggest Surveyed | Avg wt | Surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar Lake | A | 793 | 15/net in gill nets | 63% | 13" | 0.5 lb | 2021 |
| 2 | Spring Lake | A− | 592 | 15.4/net in gill nets | 3% | 10" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 3 | McMahon Lake | B+ | 187 | 21.8/net in gill nets | 2% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 4 | Upper Prior Lake | B− | 386 | 3.8/net in gill nets | 10% | 9" | 0.1 lb | 2025 |
| 5 | Fish Lake | B− | 176 | 3/net in gill nets | 45% | 10" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
| 6 | Lower Prior Lake | C | 956 | 1.1/net in gill nets | 11% | 9" | 0.2 lb | 2025 |
Also ranked in Scott County: Walleye · Northern pike · Largemouth bass · Crappie · Bluegill
All of Minnesota: Best yellow perch lakes in Minnesota
Grades are based on Minnesota DNR survey data: how many fish the DNR caught (scaled by lake size), how many reached quality size, and the biggest fish measured. Each lake's page has the numbers behind its grade. The table shows each lake's most recent survey year.