---
type: lake
name: "Orchard Lake"
county: "Dakota"
nearest_town: "Lakeville"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 238
max_depth_ft: 33
latitude: 44.70054
longitude: -93.30899
lake_score: 64
dnr_lake_id: "19003100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/orchard-lake
---

# Orchard Lake

Lake in Dakota County, Minnesota, near Lakeville

- **Surface Area**: 238 acres
- **Max Depth**: 33 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 64/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Orchard Lake is a 238-acre lake near Lakeville in Dakota County, Minnesota. It reaches 33 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.4 feet.

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 a swim 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 8, based on 6 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

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 8
- **Years of record**: 6
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-03
- **Latest**: 2018-05-01

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Crystal](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/lake-crystal) - 2.5 miles, 293 acres
- [Lake Marion](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/lake-marion) - 2.5 miles, 530 acres
- [Lac Lavon](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/lac-lavon) - 3.4 miles, 66 acres
- [Cleary Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/cleary-lake) - 4.1 miles, 145 acres
- [Alimagnet Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county/alimagnet-lake) - 4.3 miles, 104 acres
- [Lower Prior Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/lower-prior-lake) - 5.4 miles, 956 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.70054,-93.30899)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=19003100)
- [All lakes in Dakota County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/dakota-county)

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