Independence fishing

Independence fishing is stocked with Muskellunge, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch on a natural lake. It is stocked about 2.5 times a year since 2022, most often in January. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge and Largemouth Bass, dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye, and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch.

Illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
January 1, 2025
637 days ago · Walleye
Plants on record
10
Since 2022
Species recorded
2

Fish at Independence

2 stocked · 3 confirmed present

Walleye Stocked · 8 plants · last January 1, 2025 Best: dawn, dusk, night

Last stocked January 1, 2025 · 8 plants

Best: dawn, dusk, night

Walleye species guide
Muskellunge Stocked · 2 plants · last January 1, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked January 1, 2024 · 2 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Muskellunge species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk

Best: dawn, dusk

Listed in the DNR LakeFinder fish-community record for this lake; not present in the stocking feed for this lake. (maps.dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 29, 2026)

Largemouth Bass species guide
Northern Pike Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Listed in the DNR LakeFinder fish-community record for this lake; not present in the stocking feed for this lake. (maps.dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 29, 2026)

Northern Pike species guide
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk

Best: dawn, day, dusk

Listed in the DNR LakeFinder fish-community record for this lake; not present in the stocking feed for this lake. (maps.dnr.state.mn.us, accessed September 29, 2026)

Yellow Perch species guide

How Independence is stocked

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of January. In 2025 it was January 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

Fish stocked in 2022

20,470

Fish stocked in 2023

11,475

Fish stocked in 2024

3,806

Fish stocked in 2025

16,150

Stocking history

Showing 5 of 10 plants Showing 10 plants

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
January 1, 2025 Walleye 16,150 – report
January 1, 2024 Walleye 190 – report
January 1, 2024 Walleye 232 – report
January 1, 2024 Walleye 582 – report
January 1, 2024 Walleye 2,083 – report
January 1, 2024 Walleye 294 – report
January 1, 2024 Muskellunge 425 – report
January 1, 2023 Walleye 11,475 – report
January 1, 2022 Walleye 20,045 – report
January 1, 2022 Muskellunge 425 – report
Show all 10 plants + Show less

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Maple Plain, MN
Boat ramp
Yes
Fee required
Yes

MN DNR LakeFinder survey access lists Open concrete/boat access within Baker Park (Three Rivers Park District). Fee permit for vehicles with trailers; no fees for shore/pier fishing. Nearest town on the DNR record is Maple Plain.

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Nearest lakes

Minnetonka 7.6 mi last stocked January 1, 2025 Eagle 11.8 mi last stocked January 1, 2025 Waconia 13.1 mi last stocked January 1, 2025 Westwood 13.4 mi last stocked January 1, 2025 Brooklyn Park FiN Pond 15.4 mi last stocked January 1, 2025

Common questions

What fish are at Independence?

Fishing Independence usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 8 of 10 plants on record, ahead of Muskellunge. Walleye was last stocked January 1, 2025. Muskellunge was last stocked January 1, 2024. Largemouth Bass (Listed in the DNR LakeFinder fish-community record for this lake; not present in the stocking feed for this lake), Northern Pike (Listed in the DNR LakeFinder fish-community record for this lake; not present in the stocking feed for this lake), and Yellow Perch (Listed in the DNR LakeFinder fish-community record for this lake; not present in the stocking feed for this lake) are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

When is Independence stocked?

Last stocked January 1, 2025. It is stocked about 2.5 times a year since 2022, most often in January. The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of January. In 2025 it was January 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

How do you get on Independence?

There is a boat ramp and a fee is required. The nearest town is Maple Plain, MN. MN DNR LakeFinder survey access lists Open concrete/boat access within Baker Park (Three Rivers Park District). Fee permit for vehicles with trailers; no fees for shore/pier fishing. Nearest town on the DNR record is Maple Plain.

Sources (2) +