---
type: lake
name: "Upper Prior Lake"
county: "Scott"
nearest_town: "Grainwood"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 386
max_depth_ft: 50
latitude: 44.71321
longitude: -93.44834
lake_score: 54
dnr_lake_id: "70007200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/upper-prior-lake
---

# Upper Prior Lake

Lake in Scott County, Minnesota, near Grainwood

- **Surface Area**: 386 acres
- **Max Depth**: 50 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 54/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Upper Prior Lake is a 386-acre lake near Grainwood in Scott County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.1 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white 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 crappie and sunfish, 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 Minnesota DNR. 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 86 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**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Marina

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, White Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, 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**: 86
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-03
- **Latest**: 2013-04-29

## Nearby Lakes

- [Spring Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/spring-lake) - 1.5 miles, 592 acres
- [Lower Prior Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/lower-prior-lake) - 2.3 miles, 956 acres
- [Cleary Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/cleary-lake) - 3.2 miles, 145 acres
- [O'Dowd Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/o-dowd-lake) - 3.9 miles, 301 acres
- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/fish-lake) - 4.3 miles, 176 acres
- [Thole Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county/thole-lake) - 4.6 miles, 119 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.71321,-93.44834)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=70007200)
- [All lakes in Scott County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/scott-county)

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