Lake Minnewashta

How big is Lake Minnewashta?

How deep is Lake Minnewashta?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Minnewashta?

What are the closest cities to Lake Minnewashta?

Are there topographical lake maps available Lake Minnewashta?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Lake Minnewashta (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Minnewashta Lake

Are there boat launches on Lake Minnewashta?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Minnewashta?

What are the fishing regulations for Lake Minnewashta?

There are specific fishing regulations Lake Minnewashta that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake Minnewashta?

Lake Minnewashta (DOW 10-0009-00) is a 738-acre, Class 24 Lake with a maximum depth of 70 feet. It is located in northeast Carver County in the City of Chanhassen. There are two boat launches located within a Carver County regional park. A fishing pier and short reach of shore access are available at City of Chanhassen's Roundhouse Park, on the lake's west shore.

Lake Minnewashta is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass (Special Regulation: catch-and-release-only) and Northern Pike. Lake Minnewashta supports additional game species, including Bluegill and Black Crappie. A standard survey (11 trap nets/9 gill nets) was conducted on Lake Minnewashta during the week of 7/13/16 to monitor water characteristics and fish populations. Lake Minnewashta is a productive eutrophic lake. Water clarity was 5 feet, with overall water color brown-green during the 2016 survey. Dissolved oxygen fell to zero parts per million at depths greater than 18 feet. The Lake Minnewashta Park beach was closed for a period in late September 2016 because of high E. coli bacteria levels. Zebra mussels were first discovered in Lake Minnewashta during summer 2016.

Largemouth Bass in Lake Minnewashta have been managed under a Special Regulation-catch-and-release-only- since 1997. Nighttime boat electrofishing sampled Largemouth Bass at a rate of 78.2/hour. The 2016 catch rate was the highest recorded on Lake Minnewashta, and more than double the previous high catch rate of 31.4/hour. A total of 189 bass were sampled during electrofishing, with an average length of 10.5 inches and the largest measured at 20.1 inches. Despite high abundance, body condition was good. Largemouth Bass reached 9.3 inches by age 3, indicating average growth when compared to the statewide Lake-Class average. Results from a 2015 voluntary creel survey found about 50 percent of angler caught bass were greater than 15 inches, while 1 percent of bass were greater than 20 inches. As of the 2016 survey results, Largemouth Bass populations were near long-range management goals and will continue to be managed under the Special Regulation.

Northern Pike in Lake Minnewashta were very abundant, with gill nets catches (11.7/net) well above the expected rate. Northern Pike average length was 22.8 inches, with a maximum length of 31.7 inches. When compared to other lakes across the state, growth rates were above average, with an average length of 21.4 inches at age 3. Body condition was on the low end of the normal range. An abundance of spawning habitat in Lake Minnewashta allows Northern Pike to consistently reproduce, shown by 9 consecutive year classes recorded in age analysis. Results from the 2016 Lake Minnewashta survey show Northern Pike exceeding management goals by most measures.

Bluegill in Lake Minnewashta were abundant, with trap net catches (36.9/net) well above catch rates of similar lakes across the state. Bluegill were also sampled in unusually high numbers in gill nets (22.8/net), suggesting Bluegill are moving offshore during summer. Combining trap net and gill net catches, 583 total fish were caught; average length was 5.7 inches, with the largest measured at 7.9 inches. The 2016 survey results describe a population skewed toward small individuals. Despite high numbers of small fish, body condition was good. Bluegill growth was moderate, with an average length of 5.2 inches by age 3.

Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (14.9/net) and trap nets (4.6/net), typical catch rates compared to similar lakes across Minnesota. Although Black Crappie catch rates in Lake Minnewashta were average compared to similar lakes, the 2016 catch values were the highest recorded on Lake Minnewashta. Combining trap net and gill net catches, 174 total fish were caught; average length was 7.0 inches with the largest measured at 12.4 inches. Body condition of Black Crappie was good; growth rates were normal compared to the statewide average, with an average length of 6.0 inches by age 3. Despite a high percentage of small fish in the catch, Lake Minnewashta has the potential to produce crappie greater than 12 inches.

Other fishes sampled in low abundance were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

What is the average air temp for Lake Minnewashta?