Goose Lake
About Goose Lake
Goose Lake is a 302-acre lake near Waconia in Carver County, Minnesota. It reaches 10 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.9 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1995.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 3, based on 12 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Goose Lake
- 302 acres, up to 10 feet deep, near Waconia
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 302 acres
- Max depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.9 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 296 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 12
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1995
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 3
- Years of record
- 12
- Earliest
- March 3, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 2018
- Most recent
- March 27, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Goose Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Lake Waconia
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarver · Waconia3,080 acres
2.9 miles away
Swede Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarver · Watertown433 acres
3.1 miles away
Oak Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarver · Watertown333 acres
5 miles away
Hydes Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarver · Young America (subdivision)222 acres
5.3 miles away
Parley Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarver · Saint Bonifacius258 acres
5.3 miles away
Reitz Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarver · Coney Island92 acres
5.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Goose Lake?
Goose Lake is in Carver County, Minnesota, near Waconia. It covers 302 acres and reaches 10 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Goose Lake?
Goose Lake covers 302 acres with about 4.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Goose Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Channel Catfish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Goose Lake?
Yes. Goose Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Goose Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Goose Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Goose Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Goose Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Goose Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 3, from 12 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 3, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 2018.