Location

• The 845 acres large Lake Independence, with a maximum depth of 58 feet, is situated in Hennepin county, near the cities of Independence and Maple Plain. The lake is 23 miles outside the center of Minneapolis. The area is relatively flat, surrounded by farmland with the city of Independence to the southwest.
  
  The area has a continental climate typical of Minnesota. Winters are cold and dry, with several weeks below the freezing point. Summers are hot and humid.
  
  

Types of Fish

• The lake has populations of game fish such as Walleye, Muskellunge, Sunfish and Northern Pike. Other fish, such as Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp and Yellow Perch, are also found in the lake. The population of these fish is larger than the population of the types of fish sought after by fishermen.
  
  

Seasonal Fishing

• In Minnesota, the winter ice is thick enough to walk on. Ice fishing is a different kind of fishing from summer fishing, using different tools and requiring cold weather gear. Summer fishing does not require any preparations outside the ordinary. It can be done from boats, which can be rented at several locations around the lake, or from the shore.
  
  

Fishing License

• In Minnesota, it is necessary to have a fishing license to be allowed to catch fish. The receiver has to be over 21 years of age. The license is personal, with the exception of husband and wife licenses. Licenses can have a duration of 24 hours, 72 hours, one week or full season. To catch salmon and trout, special stamps are required, except if the receiver of the license is over 60, then no separate stamps are needed. Licenses can be bought at licensed agents anywhere in Minnesota.
  
  

Water Quality Problems

• Since 2002, when the lake was entered on the list of "impaired waters" by state officials, the water quality of Lake Independence has worsened. The water is being fertilized by runoff from nearby farms and from the sewage plants of nearby cities. There are strong algal growths from early summer, and invasive plants have established themselves and are clogging up the water. This has an adverse effect on the quality of the fishing in the lake.