Independence

Jackson County, Minnesota — DOW #32001700

122 Surveys

98.83

Acres

10 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Independence. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.13 lb	1
1990-06-25	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.33 lb	3
2015-06-15	Standard trap nets	6.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.17 lb	62
2015-06-15	Standard gill nets	167.7 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.04 lb	503
1985-06-24	Standard trap nets	24.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.29 lb	242
1985-06-24	Standard gill nets	145.0 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.29 lb	290
2011-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.32 lb	7
2011-06-27	Backpack electrofishing	17.7	—	—	16
2011-06-27	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	1
2011-06-27	Standard gill nets	67.7 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.14 lb	203
2011-06-27	50-ft beach seine	7.0	—	—	7
2023-05-30	Standard trap nets	3.7 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.45 lb	33
2023-05-30	Standard gill nets	13.0 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.28 lb	13
2007-06-25	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.22 lb	20
2007-06-25	Standard gill nets	25.5 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.20 lb	51
2019-05-16	Standard trap nets	8.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.33 lb	79
2019-05-16	Standard gill nets	223.0 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.14 lb	446
2003-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.17 lb	2
2003-06-23	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.14 lb	8

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-06-25	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	0.32 lb	16
1990-06-25	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	2.3 – 18.1	0.59 lb	3
1999-06-21	Standard gill nets	15.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.10 lb	15
1999-06-21	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	2.16 lb	10
2015-06-15	Standard gill nets	8.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.74 lb	24
1985-06-24	Standard gill nets	7.5 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.22 lb	15
1985-06-24	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.33 lb	15
2011-06-27	Standard gill nets	7.7 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.29 lb	23
2011-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.0	2.44 lb	3
2023-05-30	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.16 lb	3
2023-05-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.0	2.39 lb	3
2019-05-16	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	2.3 – 18.1	1.22 lb	1
2003-06-23	Standard gill nets	2.0 (below normal)	2.3 – 18.1	4.02 lb	4
2003-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.0	5.51 lb	1

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-06-25	Standard gill nets	37.0 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.34 lb	111
1990-06-25	Standard trap nets	186.9 (above normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.27 lb	1495
1999-06-21	Standard gill nets	29.0 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.39 lb	29
1999-06-21	Standard trap nets	50.8 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.52 lb	254
2015-06-15	Standard gill nets	7.0 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.78 lb	21
2015-06-15	Standard trap nets	3.6 (below normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.81 lb	32
1985-06-24	Standard gill nets	69.5 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.23 lb	139
1985-06-24	Standard trap nets	214.0 (above normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.25 lb	2140
2011-06-27	Standard trap nets	36.0 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.26 lb	324
2011-06-27	Backpack electrofishing	27.7	—	—	25
2011-06-27	15-ft beach seine	3.0	—	—	3
2011-06-27	Standard gill nets	18.3 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.52 lb	55
2011-06-27	50-ft beach seine	3.0	—	—	3
2023-05-30	Standard gill nets	3.0 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.69 lb	3
2023-05-30	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	11.5 – 132.6	1.46 lb	8
2007-06-25	Standard gill nets	224.0 (above normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.08 lb	448
2007-06-25	Standard trap nets	30.6 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.10 lb	275
2019-05-16	Standard gill nets	7.5 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	1.43 lb	15
2003-06-23	Standard gill nets	464.0 (above normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.07 lb	928
2003-06-23	Standard trap nets	242.1 (above normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.13 lb	2179

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.63 lb	1
1999-06-21	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.44 lb	11
2015-06-15	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.09 lb	2
1985-06-24	Standard trap nets	4.8 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.53 lb	48
2011-06-27	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	—	1
2011-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.20 lb	3
2023-05-30	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.05 lb	1
2023-05-30	Standard trap nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.74 lb	9
2019-05-16	Standard gill nets	14.5 (above normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.75 lb	29
2019-05-16	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.75 lb	39
2019-05-16	Survey seining	300.0	—	—	300
2003-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.24 lb	1
2003-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.22 lb	6

OSS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.07 lb	2
1985-06-24	Standard trap nets	2.6	—	0.07 lb	26

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1999-06-21	Survey seining	16.0	—	—	16
2015-06-15	Standard gill nets	23.7	—	0.13 lb	71
2015-06-15	Standard trap nets	28.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.10 lb	254
2011-06-27	Backpack electrofishing	17.7	—	—	16
2011-06-27	Standard gill nets	5.7	—	0.10 lb	17
2011-06-27	50-ft beach seine	36.0	—	—	36
2011-06-27	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.17 lb	14
2023-05-30	Standard gill nets	39.0	—	0.05 lb	39
2023-05-30	Standard trap nets	87.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.05 lb	789
2007-06-25	Standard gill nets	1.5	—	0.12 lb	3
2007-06-25	Standard trap nets	3.7 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.20 lb	33
2019-05-16	Standard gill nets	32.0	—	0.43 lb	64
2019-05-16	Standard trap nets	42.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.20 lb	378
2003-06-23	Standard trap nets	4.2 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.35 lb	38

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1999-06-21	Standard trap nets	78.0 (above normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.14 lb	390
1999-06-21	Survey seining	745.0	—	—	745
1999-06-21	Standard gill nets	2.0	—	0.07 lb	2
2015-06-15	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	—	2
1985-06-24	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.78 lb	21
2011-06-27	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	—	1
2011-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.26 lb	4
2023-05-30	Standard trap nets	28.2 (above normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.10 lb	254
2023-05-30	Standard gill nets	7.0	—	0.08 lb	7
2007-06-25	Standard trap nets	1.9 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.55 lb	17
2019-05-16	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.69 lb	1
2019-05-16	Survey seining	3.0	—	—	3
2003-06-23	Standard trap nets	13.0 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.27 lb	117

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1999-06-21	Survey seining	1800.0	—	1800

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1999-06-21	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	1.17 lb	1
2015-06-15	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.09 lb	1
2015-06-15	Standard electrofishing	656.5	—	0.08 lb	500
2015-06-15	Standard gill nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.98 lb	6
2011-06-27	Backpack electrofishing	2.2	—	—	2
2011-06-27	Standard electrofishing	47.0	—	1.91 lb	36
2011-06-27	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	2.27 lb	4
2023-05-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.36 lb	3
2023-05-30	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	1.65 lb	1
2007-06-25	Standard electrofishing	22.7	—	1.97 lb	17
2007-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	4.85 lb	1
2019-05-16	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	2.65 lb	1
2019-05-16	Standard electrofishing	102.7	—	1.08 lb	77
2019-05-16	Standard gill nets	3.5 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.45 lb	7

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1985-06-24	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	5.10 lb	4
1985-06-24	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	2.40 lb	1
2023-05-30	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.44 lb	5
2023-05-30	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	2.57 lb	8
2007-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	9.37 lb	1
2003-06-23	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	4.33 lb	5

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-06-27	15-ft beach seine	29.0	—	—	29
2011-06-27	50-ft beach seine	73.0	—	—	73
2011-06-27	Standard trap nets	9.3	—	0.10 lb	84
2011-06-27	Backpack electrofishing	114.2	—	—	103

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2011-06-27	Backpack electrofishing	1.1	—	—	1
2003-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.25 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 4 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Loon Lake Store and Bait Shop

Jackson, MN

(507) 318-8617

★ 4.8

Blue Line Junction

Worthington, MN

(507) 372-4038

★ 4.1

Silverback Pro

Worthington, MN

(507) 329-6019

Tuttle Lake Bait

Ceylon, MN

(507) 848-1627

★ 5

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Independence. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Walleye Yellow Perch

Other Lakes in Jackson County

Boot

Plan Your Trip to Independence

Weather forecast for Independence — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 43.7635°N, 95.0479°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Independence

DNR Fish Surveys

Yellow Perch

Walleye

Black Bullhead

Black Crappie

OSS

Pumpkinseed

Bluegill

Fathead Minnow

Largemouth Bass

Northern Pike

Hybrid Sunfish

Green Sunfish

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Loon Lake Store and Bait Shop

Blue Line Junction

Silverback Pro

Tuttle Lake Bait

Fish Species

Other Lakes in Jackson County

Boot

Chandler

Clear

Fish

Flahtery

Heron (South Heron)

Plan Your Trip to Independence