Minnesota · Scott County
O'Dowd Lake Fishing guide
O'Dowd Lake covers 301 acres in Scott County, Minnesota, reaching 22 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers8per gill net15"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 55 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 55 fish
2022Lengths measured · 31 fish
2017Lengths measured · 51 fish
2013Lengths measured · 49 fish
2007Largemouth bassGood numbers54.5per hr (electrofishing)10"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 128 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 128 fish
2022Lengths measured · 14 fish
2017Lengths measured · 162 fish
2013Lengths measured · 15 fish
2007Northern pikeFair numbers8per gill net20"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 53 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 53 fish
2022Lengths measured · 33 fish
2017Lengths measured · 24 fish
2013Lengths measured · 33 fish
2007BluegillJust a few22.4per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 263 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 263 fish
2022Lengths measured · 371 fish
2017Lengths measured · 423 fish
2013Lengths measured · 977 fish
2007CrappieJust a few7per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 123 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 123 fish
2022Lengths measured · 97 fish
2017Lengths measured · 62 fish
2013Lengths measured · 102 fish
2007No recent survey rating.
Rates 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 O'Dowd Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.9 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. With 78% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. In 3.9 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. With 78% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- 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 | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25" | 20" | 36" |
| 2017 | 28" | 19" | 33" |
| 2013 | 26" | 19" | 37" |
| 2007 | 26" | 18" | 33" |
| 2001 | 24" | 19" | 28" |
| 1996 | 28" | 19" | 34" |
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:
Walleye · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 4,760 yearlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 295 fingerlings · 626 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,343 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 8,394 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 576 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 4,740 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 4,392 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,500 yearlings · 11 adults |
| 2017 | Walleye | 15 fingerlings · 49 yearlings · 21 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,756 fingerlings · 95 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
O'Dowd is a 300-acre (235 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 22 feet. O'Dowd is located in the City of Shakopee, in northern Scott County. O'Dowd is actively managed for Walleye and Northern Pike, with secondary emphasis on Largemouth Bass. O'Dowd also supports catchable populations of Bluegill and Black Crappie. Walleye numbers are maintained through annual fall fingerling stocking of 1 pound per littoral acre (235 pounds). Public water access is provided by DNR Parks and Trails on the northwest side of the lake off county road 79 (up to 13 vehicle/trailer parking spaces).
A standard survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was completed on O'Dowd Lake during the week of 8/1/2022 to monitor water characteristics and fish populations. Water color was brown/green, with low water clarity, measured at 3.0 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen fell to zero parts per million (ppm) below 16 feet. Eurasian Watermilfoil has also been found in O'Dowd, and remains present. One interesting note, O'Dowd is one of a few lakes in the metro where Common Carp have never been sampled.
Read the full DNR narrative
High numbers of Walleye were sampled with gill nets (8/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes in the metro. Average length of Walleye sampled in gill nets was 16.5 inches with the largest measured at 25.4 inches. Annual stocking has maintained a balanced Walleye population (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Walleye growth in Lake O'Dowd was fast compared to similar lakes across the metro, indicated by an average length of 15.2 inches by age 3. Results from the 2022 O'Dowd Lake survey show Walleye meeting or exceeding the long-range management goals for both numbers and sizes providing excellent angling opportunity.
High numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (8/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes. There were 48 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets during the 2022 survey, the highest catch in the previous 25 years. Average size of Northern Pike in the 2022 survey was 22.9 inches with the largest measured at 36.8 inches. Northern Pike size indices describes a balanced population with consistent recruitment. Growth was average compared to similar lakes across the metro, with an average length of 18.0 inches by age 3. Results from the 2022 O'Dowd Lake survey show Northern Pike meeting or exceeding the long-range management goals for both numbers and sizes providing excellent angling opportunity.
Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring 2022 with nighttime boat electrofishing, the second time such a survey was completed here. Catch rates were high, with 54.5 fish/hour. A total of 109 bass were sampled, with an average length of 10.7 inches and the largest measured at 17.5 inches. The majority of bass sampled were small, with 33% greater than 12 inches and 3% greater than 15 inches. High numbers of bass may be causing increased competition among individuals, decreasing growth and size potential. Despite high numbers, the presence of fish greater than 15 inches shows the potential for these fish to reach desirable sizes.
Moderate numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (22.4/net). Bluegill catch rates in O'Dowd have been on a decline over the previous 25 years, reaching their lowest point - 22.4/net - during this (2022) survey. There were 202 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2022 survey, with an average length of 5.9 inches, and the largest measured at 8.2 inches. Following the reduction of Bluegill numbers, we would expect to see an increase in growth and overall size in future surveys.
Moderate numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (10.0/net) and trap nets (7.0/net). The Black Crappie population remains stable, with little variation in historic catch rates over the previous 25 years. There were 123 Black Crappie sampled during the 2022 survey, with an average length of 6.8 inches, and the largest measured at 10.7 inches. Despite a small average size, the presence of fish greater than 10 inches is an encouraging sign for the fishery.
Other fish species sampled in low abundance were Black Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
O'Dowd Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on O'Dowd 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
- O'Dowd Lake (trailer launch)
- O'Dowd Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
O'Dowd Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Thole Lake · 119 ac · 0.8 mi
- Spring Lake · 592 ac · 3.6 mi
- Upper Prior Lake · 386 ac · 3.9 mi
- Crystal Lake · 31 ac · 4.8 mi
- Lower Prior Lake · 956 ac · 5.2 mi
- Quarry Lake · 70 ac · 5.2 mi
- Firemen's Clayhole Lake · 9 ac · 5.4 mi
- Riley Lake · 296 ac · 6.5 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is O'Dowd Lake?
O'Dowd Lake reaches 22 ft at its deepest point; about 78% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is O'Dowd Lake?
O'Dowd Lake covers 301 acres with about 9.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in O'Dowd Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on O'Dowd Lake average 3.9 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in O'Dowd Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is O'Dowd Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does O'Dowd Lake have a public access?
Yes. O'Dowd Lake has 2 public access sites, including O'Dowd Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in O'Dowd Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1996.
When was O'Dowd Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed O'Dowd Lake in 2022, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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