Goose Lake (Pope County)
Pope County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data
Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 61004300
DNR records show 3 stocking entries at Goose Lake (Pope County) since 2021, most recently black crappie adults in 2023 (35 fish).
- Goose Lake (Pope County) has 3 DNR stocking records across 2 years (2021-2023): black crappie (2), bluegill sunfish (1).
- The most-stocked species by count is black crappie: 77 fish on record.
- Maximum depth 17 ft; surface area 324 acres, 4.1 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
- Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 6.5 ft.
- Fish species DNR lists here: black bullhead, bluegill, green sunfish, largemouth bass, white sucker.
- 1 public access on the DNR list.
- Most recent DNR fish survey: (standard survey).
- Pope County, nearest town Terrace; DNR lake number (DOW) 61004300.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Black Crappie | adults | 35 | 7.0 |
| 2021 | Black Crappie | adults | 42 | 21.0 |
| 2021 | Bluegill Sunfish | adults | 34 | 6.8 |
Public accesses
| Type | Owner | Where |
|---|---|---|
| earthen ramp | Minnesota DNR |
DNR fish survey, 2019
| Species | Gear | Catch per net | Total catch | Avg lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Standard electrofishing | 138.34 | 134 | 1.54 |
| White sucker | Standard gill nets | 9.00 | 18 | 0.89 |
| Black bullhead | Standard gill nets | 2.50 | 5 | 2.13 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1.50 | 3 | 1.30 |
| Green sunfish | Standard gill nets | 1.00 | 2 | 0.10 |
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 0.83 | 5 | 0.04 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 0.83 | 5 | 1.61 |
| Black bullhead | Standard trap nets | 0.50 | 3 | 1.38 |
| White sucker | Standard trap nets | 0.50 | 3 | 2.77 |
| Green sunfish | Standard trap nets | 0.17 | 1 | 0.06 |
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.
Goose Lake is a shallow basin located five miles south of Terrace in Pope County. Maximum depth is approximately 17.0 feet. Winterkill events were common on Goose Lake prior to water levels rising in recent decades. Increasing water levels are evidenced by dead standing timber fringing the shoreline. Increased depth and moderating winters have allowed establishment of a fishery following stocking of adult fish in 2008. Dense algal blooms used to be common during summer months, but water clarity has been increasing in recent years. A primitive carry-in public access exists on the east side of the lake. Access to the lake with trailered boats is challenged by a steep trail of approximately 200 yards to the lake. Very little development has occurred on Goose Lake. The lack of development and limited access offers a unique "remote" setting in southern Pope County. Introductory stockings of adult Bluegill and Largemouth Bass were completed in the spring of 2008. Other adult stockings in 2012 included Bluegill and Black Crappie. Largemouth Bass stocking was very successful. Largemouth bass are very abundant. Daytime electrofishing yielded 138.3 bass per hour. Mean length of Largemouth Bass sampled by electrofishing was 13.2 inches. The largest bass captured measured 18.7 inches. Growth is rapid as bass are reaching 12.0 inches by age 3. Bluegill and Black Crappie stocking has not been successful. No Black Crappie were observed during the survey and only a few small Bluegill were caught. Black Bullheads, Green Sunfish and White Suckers are also present in Goose Lake. Although, increasing Largemouth Bass abundance has reduced abundance of these three species. Drastic improvements in water clarity has been observed in recent years and is likely a result of biological control and limited recruitment of bullheads, Green Sunfish and suckers.
Minnesota DNR survey narrative, .
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