---
type: lake
name: "Lake Crystal"
county: "Dakota"
nearest_town: "Lakeville"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 293
max_depth_ft: 37
latitude: 44.72165
longitude: -93.26706
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "19002700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/lake-crystal
---

# Lake Crystal

Lake in Dakota County, Minnesota, near Lakeville

- **Surface Area**: 293 acres
- **Max Depth**: 37 ft
- **Average Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Crystal is a 293-acre lake near Lakeville in Dakota County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 6.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. OpenStreetMap shows Crystal Lake Beach on or beside the lake. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 5, based on 46 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Muskellunge and Tiger Muskellunge**: Minimum size limit 40". Possession limit one.

## Activities

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

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Picnic Area

### Beaches

- Crystal Lake Beach

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Tiger Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 5
- **Years of record**: 46
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-02
- **Latest**: 2018-04-30

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lac Lavon](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/lac-lavon) - 1.1 miles, 66 acres
- [Alimagnet Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/alimagnet-lake) - 2 miles, 104 acres
- [Orchard Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/orchard-lake) - 2.5 miles, 238 acres
- [Lake Marion](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/lake-marion) - 3.8 miles, 530 acres
- [Cleary Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/cleary-lake) - 6.4 miles, 145 acres
- [Thomas Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/thomas-lake) - 6.8 miles, 41 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.72165,-93.26706)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=19002700)
- [All lakes in Dakota County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county)

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