Goose Lake near 44.8850, -93.8330 is a lake in Carver County, Minnesota. Goose Lake covers about 302 acres, reaches a recorded 10 feet and holds about 1,184 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Goose Lake Affect Fishing
Goose Lake is shallow enough that wind, weeds, shade and even a small dip in the bottom can make one part fish better than another.
Fish and Baits at Goose Lake
Fish reported from Goose Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Goose Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Goose Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Goose Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp
For bottom fishing at Goose Lake, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.
How the Seasons Change Goose Lake
Spring at Goose Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is best early or late around weeds, shade and the few deeper holes. Fall at Goose Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Goose Lake
On a first trip to Goose Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Goose Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Goose Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Goose Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 302-acre Goose Lake?
At Goose Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 10-foot deep end of Goose Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Goose Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 1,184 acre-foot storage figure mean at Goose Lake?
At Goose Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.
Nearby fishing waters
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.