Peterson

Meeker County

Near Grove City

DOW: 47019800

Yellow PerchExcellent · 80BluegillGood · 58Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 135-acre lake near Grove City in Meeker County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 1991.

Fish Species (9)

Yellow Perch

Excellent · 80

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.26 lbs

Catch rate: 46.8 per gill net · typical 2.7–25 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 18, 1986	46.83	-	0.26 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1986	3.75	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 18, 1986	3.75	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Good · 58

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 7.0 per trap net · typical 1.2–20 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1991	7.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 28, 1980	5.17	-	0.33 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 28, 1980	5.17	-	0.33 lbs	Standard trap nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.20 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.2–0.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	0.17	-	1.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 28, 1980	0.17	-	1.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Average · 47

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.65 lbs

Catch rate: 6.2 per gill net · typical 1.1–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1991	4.75	-	1.93 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 18, 1986	6.17	-	1.65 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1986	3.50	-	2.31 lbs	Standard trap nets

Green Sunfish

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per trap net · typical 0.2–1.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 28, 1980	0.67	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 28, 1980	0.67	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Walleye

Average · 36

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 10.2 per gill net · typical 2.3–18.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1991	1.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 18, 1986	1.00	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 18, 1986	10.17	-	0.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (3)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Common Carp

Good · 71

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1980

Last surveyed 1980 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.57 lbs

Catch rate: 54.0 per gill net · typical 1–13.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1991	2.75	-	0.80 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 28, 1980	54.00	-	0.57 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 28, 1980	18.50	-	2.37 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 25

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 7.5 per trap net · typical 11.5–132.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1991	7.50	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 25, 1991	71.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1986	36.00	-	0.57 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Poor · 20

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.8–6.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 25, 1991	0.50	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 18, 1986	0.50	-	1.90 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 18, 1986	0.67	-	1.52 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best yellow perch lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth Bass

Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

July 25, 1991STATUS OF THE FISHERY: Northern pike were present in trap net samples at 4.8 fish per lift. Bluegill were also represented in trap net samples at 7.0…

STATUS OF THE FISHERY: Northern pike were present in trap net samples at 4.8 fish per lift. Bluegill were also represented in trap net samples at 7.0 fish per lift. Walleye were sampled in trap nets at 1.5 fish per lift. Peterson was used as a walleye rearing pond following the winterkill in 1989. Black bullhead were abundant in gill net samples, averaging 71.5 per lift.

August 18, 1986STATUS OF THE FISHERY: Lake was stocked with walleye fry in spring of 1986. All walleye captured, except one, seem to be young of year. Present fish p…

STATUS OF THE FISHERY: Lake was stocked with walleye fry in spring of 1986. All walleye captured, except one, seem to be young of year. Present fish population is made up predominantly of walleye (10.2/gillnet) about 6" to 7" in length, northern pike (6.2/gillnet) from 9" to 26", and perch (46.83/gillnet) between 5" and 10" in length. No carp were sampled at this assessment. Black bullheads were netted at 36/gillnet.

August 18, 1986STATUS OF THE FISHERY: Lake was stocked with walleye fry in spring of 1986. All walleye captured, except one, seem to be young of year. Present fish p…

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Peterson?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Green Sunfish in Peterson. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Peterson?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Peterson. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Peterson?

Peterson has a maximum depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Peterson last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Peterson is from 1991. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Peterson have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Peterson in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Peterson?

No — Peterson has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.