Carlson Lake
Dakota County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 19006600
DNR records show 8 stocking entries at Carlson Lake since 2017, most recently walleye fry in 2024 (40,000 fish).
- Carlson Lake has 8 DNR stocking records across 7 years (2017-2024): walleye (8).
- The most-stocked species by count is walleye: 340,225 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 19 ft, mean depth 12 ft; surface area 12 acres, 8 littoral acres, 0.6 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 2.3 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, walleye.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (targeted survey).
- Dakota County, nearest town Eagan; DNR lake number (DOW) 19006600.
Depth map
Bathymetric contours from the Minnesota DNR lake survey (get source); depths in feet. Simplified for the web; not for navigation.
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | fry | 40,000 | 0.3 |
| 2023 | Walleye | fry | 50,000 | 0.4 |
| 2022 | Walleye | fry | 50,000 | 0.4 |
| 2021 | Walleye | fry | 40,000 | 0.4 |
| 2019 | Walleye | fry | 40,000 | 0.4 |
| 2018 | Walleye | fry | 60,000 | 0.7 |
| 2018 | Walleye1 | fingerlings | 225 | 45.0 |
| 2017 | Walleye | fry | 60,000 | 0.6 |
1 fish purchased and stocked by private citizens and sporting groups.
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| earthen ramp | city | no public boat launch |
DNR fish survey, 2022
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Standard electrofishing | 56.10 | 18 | 0.40 |
| Walleye | Standard electrofishing | 6.23 | 2 | 0.57 |
Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.
Carlson Lake (19-0066-00), as it's now officially known is located in the city of Eagan. The lake drops off rather quickly to a maximum of 19 feet with approximately 26% of the surface area over 15 feet. Although an aeration system is operated (as needed) to prevent winterkill, city staff report it is not often needed. Another nearby lake (19-0155-00), known by the same name but primarily called Quigley, results in obvious confusion. The other Carlson/Quigley (19-0155-00) is shallow and not managed for fishing. There is city property on the south and east sides, a fishing pier on the east side and a shore fishing structure on the south side, plus additional shore fishing locations located on city of Eagan property provide plenty of shore fishing access. Vegetation is sparse and is restricted to a narrow band near shore, so it should not interfere significantly with angling from shore. This electrofishing survey found a moderate abundance of Largemouth Bass. Lengths ranged from 4 to 12 inches. Walleyes were sampled in low abundance with two 11-12 inch fish collected.
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
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