---
type: lake
name: "Lake Minnewashta"
county: "Carver"
nearest_town: "Chanhassen"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 680
max_depth_ft: 70
latitude: 44.87864
longitude: -93.60523
lake_score: 67
dnr_lake_id: "10000900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/lake-minnewashta
---

# Lake Minnewashta

Lake in Carver County, Minnesota, near Chanhassen

- **Surface Area**: 680 acres
- **Max Depth**: 70 ft
- **Average Depth**: 15 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 67/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Minnewashta is a 680-acre lake near Chanhassen in Carver County, Minnesota. It reaches 70 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 8.9 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 24 Carver County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.4 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Special fishing regulations apply to largemouth bass, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the county. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 5, based on 33 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Largemouth Bass**: Catch-and-release only.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Picnic Area

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 5
- **Years of record**: 33
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-06
- **Latest**: 2018-05-03

## Nearby Lakes

- [Virginia Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/virginia-lake) - 1.5 miles, 105 acres
- [Schutz Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/schutz-lake) - 2 miles, 106 acres
- [Lake Ann](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/lake-ann) - 2.3 miles, 116 acres
- [Steiger Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/steiger-lake) - 2.8 miles, 166 acres
- [Zumbra-Sunny Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/zumbra-sunny-lake) - 3 miles, 271 acres
- [Christmas Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/christmas-lake) - 3.3 miles, 267 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.87864,-93.60523)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=10000900)
- [All lakes in Carver County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/lake-minnewashta)*