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| Nearest Town: Grainwood Primary County: Scott Survey Date: 07/26/2010 Inventory Number: 70002600 |
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| Ownership | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DNR | Concrete |
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Lake Area (acres): 956.63 |
Dominant Bottom Substrate: N/A |
| Did you know? The annual budget for the Section of Fisheries is approximately $17 million, which is funded primarily by fishing license and stamp fees and by a federal excise tax on fishing and boating equipment. |
| Species | Number of fish per net | Average Fish Weight (lbs) |
Normal Range (lbs) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caught | |||||
| Black Crappie | Trap net | 0.40 | 0.7 - 3.2 | 0.25 | 0.2 - 0.5 |
| Gill net | 0.25 | 0.5 - 2.7 | 0.31 | 0.2 - 0.4 | |
| Bluegill | Trap net | 22.50 | 5.6 - 42.3 | 0.17 | 0.1 - 0.3 |
| Gill net | 7.00 | N/A | 0.30 | N/A | |
| Green Sunfish | Trap net | 0.30 | 0.2 - 0.9 | 0.08 | 0.1 - 0.2 |
| Hybrid Sunfish | Trap net | 1.40 | N/A | 0.17 | N/A |
| Gill net | 0.12 | N/A | 0.22 | N/A | |
| Largemouth Bass | Trap net | 0.10 | 0.3 - 1.1 | 1.02 | 0.2 - 0.9 |
| Gill net | 0.88 | 0.3 - 1.2 | 0.58 | 0.5 - 1.1 | |
| Northern Pike | Trap net | 0.50 | N/A | 1.82 | N/A |
| Gill net | 2.50 | 3.1 - 8.5 | 5.60 | 1.5 - 2.7 | |
| Pumpkinseed | Trap net | 4.10 | 1.7 - 8.2 | 0.17 | 0.1 - 0.2 |
| Gill net | 2.62 | N/A | 0.30 | N/A | |
| Walleye | Trap net | 1.00 | 0.2 - 0.7 | 1.21 | 0.9 - 2.9 |
| Gill net | 3.12 | 1.3 - 5.5 | 1.47 | 1.2 - 2.4 | |
| White Bass | Gill net | 1.88 | 0.7 - 1.7 | 1.10 | N/A |
| White Sucker | Trap net | 0.20 | 0.2 - 1.0 | 3.06 | 1.7 - 2.9 |
| Gill net | 3.62 | 0.5 - 3.5 | 2.78 | 1.6 - 2.4 | |
| Yellow Bullhead | Trap net | 0.50 | 1.5 - 7.7 | 0.75 | 0.5 - 0.8 |
| Gill net | 10.00 | 0.9 - 10.0 | 0.82 | 0.5 - 0.7 | |
| Yellow Perch | Trap net | 0.90 | 0.5 - 2.7 | 0.23 | 0.1 - 0.2 |
| Gill net | 2.00 | 2.5 - 24.2 | 0.25 | 0.1 - 0.2 | |
| Species | Number of fish caught in each category (inches) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | 6-8 | 9-11 | 12-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30+ | Total | |
| black crappie | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| bluegill | 102 | 170 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 281 |
| green sunfish | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| hybrid sunfish | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| largemouth bass | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| northern pike | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 25 |
| pumpkinseed | 25 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62 |
| walleye | 0 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| white bass | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| white sucker | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| yellow bullhead | 0 | 2 | 53 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 85 |
| yellow perch | 0 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| For the record, the largest Lake Sturgeon taken in Minnesota weighed 94 lbs., 4 oz. and was caught:
When: 9/5/94 Statistics: 70" length, 26.5" girth |
Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years
| Year | Species | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Walleye | fingerlings | 6,132 | 219.0 |
| Walleye | fingerlings | 5,697 | 192.0 | |
| 2009 | Walleye | yearlings | 243 | 58.0 |
| Walleye | fingerlings | 13,102 | 543.5 | |
| Walleye | adults | 119 | 113.0 | |
| 2007 | Walleye | adults | 5 | 17.0 |
| Walleye | fingerlings | 4,923 | 567.3 | |
| 2005 | Walleye* | fingerlings | 20,559 | 743.8 |
| 2003 | Walleye* | fingerlings | 9,117 | 745.3 |
| Privately Stocked Fish |
|---|
| * indicates privately stocked fish. Private stocking includes fish purchased by the DNR for stocking and fish purchased and stocked by private citizens and sporting groups. |
| Stocking Fish Sizes |
|---|
| Fry - Newly hatched fish that are ready to be stocked usually called "swim-ups". Walleye fry are 1/3 of an inch or around 8 mm. |
| Fingerling - Fingerlings are one to six months old and can range from a size of one to twelve inches depending on the species. Walleye fingerlings range from three to eight inches each fall. |
| Yearling - Yearling fish are at least one year old. A one-year-old fish can range from three to twenty inches depending on the species. Walleye yearlings average from six to twelve inches. |
| Adult - Adult fish are fish that have reached maturity. Depending on the species, maturity can be reached at two years of age. Walleye reach maturity between the ages of four and six years. |
These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelin es enables people to reduce their exposure to contaminants while still enjoying the many benefits from fish.
Pregnant Women, Women who may become pregnant and Children under age 15
| LAKE NAME County, DOWID |
Species | Meal Advice | Contaminants | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | 1 meal/week | 1 meal/month | Do not eat | |||
| LOWER PRIOR Scott Co., 70002600 |
Bluegill Sunfish | All sizes | Mercury | |||
| Bullhead | All sizes | Mercury | ||||
| Carp | All sizes | Mercury | ||||
| Crappie | All sizes | Mercury | ||||
| Largemouth Bass | All sizes | Mercury | ||||
| Northern Pike | All sizes | Mercury | ||||
| Walleye | shorter than 16" | 16" or longer | Mercury | |||
General Population
| LAKE NAME County, DOWID |
Species | Meal Advice | Contaminants | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | 1 meal/week | 1 meal/month | Do not eat | |||
| LOWER PRIOR Scott Co., 70002600 |
Bluegill Sunfish | All sizes | ||||
| Bullhead | All sizes | |||||
| Carp | All sizes | |||||
| Crappie | All sizes | |||||
| Largemouth Bass | All sizes | Mercury | ||||
| Northern Pike | All sizes | Mercury | ||||
| Walleye | All sizes | Mercury | ||||
DOWID - MN DNR, Divion of Waters' lake ID number.
Contaminants listed were measured at levels that trigger advice to limit consumption.
Listing of consumption guidelines do not imply the fish are legal to keep, MN DNR fishing regulations should be consulted.
Dioxin
Mercury
PCBS - Polychlorinated biphenyls
PFOS - Perfluorooctane sulfanate
Lower Prior Lake is a 956 acre lake with a maximum depth of 60 feet, located in Scott County. Lower Prior provides ample recreational opportunities. Fishing and boating are very popular. Beaches provide swimming opportunities. Lower Prior receives heavy recreational use. This has led to the introduction and establishment of an exotic species: zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). During the 2010 Population Assessment zebra mussels were observed twice. Both times they were attached to a native mussel. One of the native mussels had already perished. Watercraft exiting Lower Prior Lake are required to drain all water from bilges, bait buckets and live wells. Drain plugs should be pulled and trailers should be thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Boaters should also keep in mind, new laws require the drain plug be removed while on public roadways.
Water quality in Lower Prior is fair, compared to other West Metro lakes. By late summer most species of fish cannot inhabit water deeper than 18 feet for extended periods of time. Anglers should keep this in mind when pursuing walleye and crappie. Fishing in water deeper than 18 feet in mid to late summer could yield very few fish.
The predator community in Lower Prior is expanding. Walleye average length was 15.0 inches. Average weight was 1.35 pounds. Both abundance and weight was average for this type of lake. Walleye abundance is low compared to the historic average catch within Lower Prior. Stocking of walleye fingerlings occurs in odd numbered years. Survival of the 2007 year class appears high. These fish averaged 15.3 inches long and accounted for more than half of sampled walleye. Age 1 walleye comprised the second highest proportion of sampled fish. Walleye opportunities could be expanding in the near future. Northern pike numbers were low compared to the historic average and below average compared to similar lakes. Average weight was well above average. Average length was 24 inches. Largemouth bass abundance increased compared to past surveys, but is below average for lakes similar to Lower Prior. Standard lake survey gear does not consistently provide an accurate estimate of largemouth bass abundance. On average largemouth bass length was 10.5 inches. White bass continue to be sampled. This species is typically confined to rivers and reservoirs. The 2010 survey produced the highest catch ever recorded for Lower Prior.
Five species of panfish are present in Lower Prior Lake. Black crappie abundance is low for this type lake and compared to historic catches within Lower Prior. Fish averaged 8.1 inches in length. Bluegill abundance decreased and is also low compared to past surveys. The size of bluegill sampled was excellent for a West Metro lake. Two-thirds of sampled fish were 6 inches or longer. Nearly 40% were 7 inches long. Yellow perch abundance in Lower Prior is low, but sampled fish were large. Mean weight of yellow perch was high. Average length was 7.9 inches, very good for a metro area lake. Yellow perch up to 9.6 inches were sampled. Pumpkinseed were sampled at an average abundance. Hybrid sunfish were also sampled.
Some rough fish species are present in high numbers. No common carp were sampled. Yellow bullhead abundance reached an all time high. White sucker were also numerous and sampled individuals were large.
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For more information on this lake, contact:
Area Fisheries Supervisor | Lake maps can be obtained from: Minnesota Bookstore |
For general DNR Information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TDD: (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR Internet: www.dnr.state.mn.us E-Mail: info.dnr@state.mn.us |  Turn in Poachers (TIP):Toll-free: (800) 652-9093 |
