Lake Waconia Fishing
Carver County, 3,080 acres, 37 feet deep.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
Lake Waconia, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Lake Waconia, a lake in Carver County, at 3,080 acres. Maximum depth is 37 feet, with an average of 13 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 1,784 acres (58%). Waconia is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 2 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Metro West manages it. DNR records count it among muskie lakes (introduced).
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Boaters have 3 public water accesses. The last DNR standard survey ran on August 4, 2025. Walleye catch rates sat within normal: 7.08 per gill net against 3.3-8.8. Open water typically returns near April 10, per 103 DNR records.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What the DNR nets turned up on Lake Waconia
The standard survey of August 4, 2025 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 85 | 7.08 | 3.3-8.8 | 2.21 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.33 | 0.2-0.8 | 3.3 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 38 | 3.17 | 2.8-9.0 | 4.28 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.5 | 6.22 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 53 | 4.42 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.5 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.12 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 46 | 3.83 | 0.4-2.7 | 0.31 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 22 | 1.83 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.27 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 137 | 11.42 | 0.13 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 1,086 | 90.5 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.06 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 14 | 1.17 | 0.3-1.4 | 1.03 | 0.5-1.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 13 | 1.08 | 0.3-1.3 | 0.77 | 0.2-0.8 |
Lake Waconia gill net counts
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Lake Waconia
“Lake Waconia is 3080-acres (1660 littoral acres) with a maximum depth of 37 feet.”
“Lake Waconia is located north of the City of Waconia in central Carver County.”
“Waconia is primarily managed for Walleye (special regulation: 16 inch minimum length) and Muskellunge.”
“Walleye are fingerling-stocked at 1 pound per littoral acre (1,660 pounds) biennially, while Muskellunge fingerlings (830 fish) are stocked annually in the fall.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Lake Waconia (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Lake Waconia
- Lake Waconia – East Access3 ramps, 40 trailer stalls, 3 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Lake Waconia – South Access2 ramps, 34 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Lake Waconia, Lakeview Terrace Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, City of Waconia
Docks for anglers at Lake Waconia
- Waconia Fishing Pierfishing pier, City of Waconia
Water accesses near Lake Waconia
- Parley Lake AccessParley, 3 miles east
- Reitz Lake AccessReitz, 3 miles southeast
- Goose Lake/ Hunting access AccessGoose, 3 miles northwest
- Auburn Lake, Carver County Park Reserve AccessAuburn, 4 miles east
- Swede Lake, Hunting Access AccessSwede, 5 miles north
- Pierson Lake AccessPiersons, 5 miles southeast
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Lake Waconia basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 13 Secchi readings on Lake Waconia since 2006.
On Lake Waconia, recorded ice-out dates run from March 7, 2017 to May 4, 2018.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Water level on Lake Waconia
DNR gauge readers record Lake Waconia by hand; the last entry is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish found in Lake Waconia
Every species shown for Lake Waconia turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Lake Waconia
Lake Waconia carries special regulations, and they override the statewide rows below for those species.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Minimum size limit 16". |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Lake Waconia sits in the North-central Zone by map position, which sets the pike and bass rows.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lake Waconia as a tournament water
Event dates on Lake Waconia are on its tournament page.
Sizing up Lake Waconia against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Waconia | 3,080 | 37 | 3 | 7.08 | |
| Burandt Lake | 2 miles southwest | 97 | 24 | 0 | 0.17 |
| Reitz Lake | 3 miles southeast | 92 | 36 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Parley Lake | 3 miles east | 258 | 18 | 1 | 1.33 |
| Goose Lake, Carver County | 3 miles northwest | 302 | 10 | 1 | |
| Turbid Lake | 4 miles east | 40 | 37 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Lake Waconia
More Minnesota lakes near Lake Waconia
- Burandt Lake2 miles southwest
- Reitz Lake3 miles southeast
- Parley Lake3 miles east
- Goose Lake, Carver County3 miles northwest
- Turbid Lake4 miles east
Minnow buckets filled near Lake Waconia
- In Towne Marina- Waconiamarina, Waconia, 1 mile
- Pro Fishing Supplybait and tackle shop, Waconia, 1 mile
- Serv-A-Dockmarina, Victoria, 6 miles
- Marina Nastepniakmarina, Mound, 7 miles
- Metro Lakes Marinamarina, Mound, 8 miles
- Blue Lagoon Marinamarina, Hennepin, 9 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Lake Waconia
- Waconia2 miles
- St. Bonifacius3 miles
- Mayer6 miles
Counties that Lake Waconia reaches
- Carver Countyseat: Chaska
Four Piscifun picks for Lake Waconia
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Fish to look for at Lake Waconia
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0
Handy answers on Lake Waconia
Which DNR office covers Lake Waconia?
In Carver County, managed from the Metro West fisheries office, about 2 miles from Waconia.
What is the maximum depth of Lake Waconia?
The DNR record gives 3,080 acres, 37 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Lake Waconia?
3 public accesses, with Lake Waconia – East Access listed first.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Lake Waconia?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and muskellunge.
When did the DNR last survey Lake Waconia?
August 4, 2025, in a standard survey. walleye ran 7.08 per gill net.
Are there size limits on Lake Waconia?
Walleye: Minimum size limit 16".
Do kids need a license on Lake Waconia?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is Lake Waconia?
The record gives April 10 as the median and March 31, 2026 as the latest.
Where are minnows sold near Lake Waconia?
Drive 1 mile to reach In Towne Marina- Waconia.
Plan a lake day on Lake Waconia
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.