Minnesota · Carver County
Minnewashta Lake Fishing guide
Minnewashta Lake is a 680-acre lake in Carver County, Minnesota, reaching 70 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 7.4 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
No recent survey rating.
Largemouth bassJust a few5.5per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2025Lengths measured · 10 fish
2021Lengths measured · 209 fish
2016Lengths measured · 4 fish
2011Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeOne of the best around17.6per gill net19"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 167 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 163 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2021Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 111 fish
2016Lengths measured · 294 fish
2011BluegillFair numbers29.3per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 761 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 532 fish
2025Lengths measured · 229 fish
2021Lengths measured · 611 fish
2016Lengths measured · 1152 fish
2011CrappieJust a few1per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 53 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 35 fish
2025Lengths measured · 18 fish
2021Lengths measured · 184 fish
2016Lengths measured · 98 fish
2011Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Minnewashta Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 70 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 70 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Northern pike | Largemouth bass | Bluegill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 33" | 20" | 8" |
| 2021 | 23" | 14" | 8" |
| 2016 | 31" | 20" | 7" |
| 2011 | 34" | 18" | 8" |
| 2008 | — | 19" | — |
| 2007 | 32" | 18" | 8" |
| 2001 | 33" | 21" | 8" |
| 1994 | 32" | 20" | 8" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Bluegill · Live bait
Clip-On Bobber + Worm
half to whole garden nightcrawler
Bluegill · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Minnewashta is a 738-acre (371 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 70 feet. Minnewashta is located in the City of Chanhassen in northeast Carver County. Minnewashta is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass but includes catchable populations of Bluegill and Black Crappie. Public water access (2 concreate ramps; up to 41 vehicle/trailer parking spaces) is located on the northeast side of the lake off county road 41 and is maintained by Carver County.
A Standard Survey (11 trap nets/9 gill nets) was conducted on Lake Minnewashta during the week of 7/7/2025 to monitor water characteristics and fish populations. Water color was clear, with good water clarity, measured at 13 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen fell to zero parts per million at 24 feet, meaning fish would be unable to use water depths greater than 12 feet during mid-summer. Eurasian Watermilfoil and Zebra Mussels have been identified in Lake Minnewashta and remain present, providing a good reminder of the clean, drain, dispose law which helps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species:
Read the full DNR narrative
Clean all aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other invasive species from boats, trailers, and water-related equipment.
Drain water from your boat, ballast tanks, motor, live well and bait container. Remove drain plugs and keep drain plugs out while transporting equipment.
Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. To keep live bait, drain the water and refill the bait container with bottled or tap water.
High numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (17.6/net), well above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 158 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 20.3 inches and the largest measured at 33.2 inches. Growth was modest with an average length of 17.5 inches by age 3 and 22.0 inches by age 5. Over 75% of Northern Pike measured below the 22-26" protected slot, providing an excellent opportunity for those anglers looking to harvest their limit of 10 Northern Pike in the North-central zone.
Largemouth Bass are present in Lake Minnewashta, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2025 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 15 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 13.4 inches and the largest measured at 20.6 inches. Future surveys will include a targeted spring boat-electrofishing component.
Moderate numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (37.8/net), near the average catch rate of similar lakes. There were 416 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2025 survey, with an average length of 5.7 inches and the largest measured at 8.7 inches. Less than 15% of Bluegill sampled were greater than 7 inches.
Low numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (3.3/net) and trap nets (0.5/net), below the average expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 35 Black Crappie sampled during the 2025 survey, with an average length of 8.2 inches and the largest measured at 11.6 inches. Despite low numbers, there is still an opportunity to catch quality sized (10" +) individuals.
Other fish species sampled during the survey include Bowfin, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Minnewashta Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Minnewashta Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Lake Minnewashta, Regional Park (E) (trailer launch)
- Lake Minnewashta, Regional Park (NE) (trailer launch)
- Minnewashta Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Minnewashta Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Minnewashta Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Virginia Lake · 105 ac · 1.5 mi
- Lucy Lake · 88 ac · 2.1 mi
- Ann Lake · 116 ac · 2.2 mi
- Steiger Lake · 166 ac · 2.9 mi
- Zumbra-Sunny Lake · 271 ac · 3.1 mi
- Christmas Lake · 267 ac · 3.1 mi
- Bavaria Lake · 167 ac · 3.6 mi
- Susan Lake · 88 ac · 3.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Minnewashta Lake?
Minnewashta Lake reaches 70 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 15 ft; about 55% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Minnewashta Lake?
Minnewashta Lake covers 680 acres with about 8.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Minnewashta Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Minnewashta Lake average 7.4 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Minnewashta Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Minnewashta Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Minnewashta Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Minnewashta Lake have a public access?
Yes. Minnewashta Lake has 4 public access sites, including Lake Minnewashta, Regional Park (E) (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Minnewashta Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 33"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Minnewashta Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Minnewashta Lake in 2025, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Minnewashta Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Minnewashta Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report