Upper Prior Lake

Upper Prior Lake

Size
423ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Upper Prior Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Walleye
Walleye
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
White bass
White bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass

Overview

The Priors are known for their terrific bass fishing. Good numbers and sizes are available. Lots of panfish around.

Upper Prior Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Location: Including Lower Prior Lake

  • Crappie: Daily limit five.
  • Sunfish: Daily limit five.

Forage

Golden shiner, white sucker, crayfish, bullhead, perch and juvenile panfish.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
39.4444
0Statewide Range74.0278

Upper Prior Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2024
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20189
Crappie
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
16.6667
0Statewide Range10.4166

Upper Prior Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2024
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202414
Largemouth bass
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.25
0Statewide Range3.6668

Upper Prior Lake Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2024
Jul
Northern pike
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6
0Statewide Range19.75

Upper Prior Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2024
Jul
Perch
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.75
0Statewide Range43.5833

Upper Prior Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2024
Jul
Pumpkinseed
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
3.8889
0Statewide Range8.4166

Upper Prior Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2024
Jul
Smallmouth bass
fish
13-14 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
1996
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
1996
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
1996
Jul
Walleye
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6.75
0Statewide Range16.9168

Upper Prior Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2024
Jul
White bass
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2
0Statewide Range20.2135

Upper Prior Lake White bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2024
Jul