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
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye
White bass
White 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.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
39.44
0Statewide Range73.96

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
20159
Crappie
fish
5-15 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Outlier
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
16.67
0Statewide Range10.41

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 bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20189
20159
Largemouth bass
fish
8-16 in
Length Range
12 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.25
0Statewide Range3.68

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
16-38 in
Length Range
26 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
6-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.75
0Statewide Range43.56

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
3-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2024
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
3.89
0Statewide Range8.41

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
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
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
11-26 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6.75
0Statewide Range16.93

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
14-17 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2024
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2
0Statewide Range20.23

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