Lower Prior Lake

How big is Lower Prior Lake?

How deep is Lower Prior Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lower Prior Lake?

What are the closest cities to Lower Prior Lake?

Are there boat launches on Lower Prior Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lower Prior Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Lower Prior Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Lower Prior Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lower Prior Lake?

Lower Prior is a 956-acre lake with a maximum depth of 60 feet. Lower Prior Lake is located west of the City of Prior Lake. It is connected via a navigable channel to Upper Prior Lake. Public access is provided by a DNR-owned boat ramp located on the north side of the lake. Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels are present in the lake.

Lower Prior is managed for Walleye, and also holds healthy populations of Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Bluegill. White Bass are also present, which is unique to lakes in the area. Management includes Walleye stocking every other year, and a special regulation for sunfish and crappie. A new possession limit of 5 sunfish and 5 crappies is in place on Lower Prior. A Standard Survey was conducted in 2021 to assess the fish populations.

Walleye numbers were above average in 2021, and a wide range of sizes of fish were present. Fish lengths were between 12 and 28 inches, with a 17 inch average. Half of the fish in the gill net catch were smaller than 15 inches, indicating success of recent stocking. Walleye do well in Lower Prior, and management will continue to focus on this species.

Largemouth Bass are present in Lower Prior Lake, but targeted bass electrofishing was not conducted as part of the 2021 survey. The fish were caught in both gill nets and trap nets; however, survey nets don't sample bass well so insight into the population is limited. Eleven fish were caught in the nets and their lengths were between 5 and 17 inches. When the lake was last electrofished for bass, in 2015, an abundant population of modestly sized fish were present. At that time, average fish size was 9.3 inches, and the largest fish measured 16.2 inches. Eighty-six percent of the fish from the 2015 sample were smaller than 12 inches.

Northern Pike were sampled in moderate numbers in 2021, and size was good. Fish lengths were between 19 and 36 inches, and 75% of the catch exceeded 24 inches. Although not highly abundant, the size of the northerns could offer good harvest opportunities. Lower Prior is part of the Southern Zone for Northern Pike regulation, allowing anglers to harvest two northerns over 24 inches.

Black Crappie were sampled in low numbers in 2021. Fish lengths were between 4 and 11 inches, with an average size of 8 inches. A new regulation took effect in 2021 on Lower Prior Lake for panfish. Only 5 crappies and 5 sunfish may be harvested per angler. The goal of the regulation is to limit harvest and give the fish a chance to grow larger. Panfish grow fast in Lower Prior, so if the new regulation is effective at reducing harvest, the average size of Black Crappie should increase with time.

Bluegill were sampled in above average numbers in 2021, though they are not overly abundant. Lengths were between 3 and 9 inches, with an average of 5 inches. Although only about 10% of the fish exceeded 7 inches, Bluegill grow fast in Lower Prior. With the new reduced harvest limit, a greater portion of the population will have a chance to grow large, and average size should increase. Targeted monitoring of panfish growth will document the effect of the new regulation.

Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

What is the average air temp for Lower Prior Lake?