---
type: lake
name: "O'Dowd Lake"
county: "Scott"
nearest_town: "Shakopee"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 301
max_depth_ft: 22
latitude: 44.7413
longitude: -93.51721
lake_score: 50
dnr_lake_id: "70009500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/o-dowd-lake
---

# O'Dowd Lake

Lake in Scott County, Minnesota, near Shakopee

- **Surface Area**: 301 acres
- **Max Depth**: 22 ft
- **Shoreline**: 9.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 50/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

O'Dowd Lake is a 301-acre lake near Shakopee in Scott County, Minnesota. It reaches 22 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.9 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. 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 3, based on 6 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 3
- **Years of record**: 6
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-14
- **Latest**: 2018-05-01

## Nearby Lakes

- [Thole Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/thole-lake) - 0.9 miles, 119 acres
- [Spring Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/spring-lake) - 3.6 miles, 592 acres
- [Upper Prior Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/upper-prior-lake) - 3.9 miles, 386 acres
- [Gifford Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/gifford-lake) - 4.3 miles, 119 acres
- [Lower Prior Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/lower-prior-lake) - 5.3 miles, 956 acres
- [Lake Riley](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/lake-riley) - 6.6 miles, 296 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.7413,-93.51721)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=70009500)
- [All lakes in Scott County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/o-dowd-lake)*