Minnewashta

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: 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Minnewashta Lake was conducted on August 30th thru September 1st, 2021 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, a 15-foot seine was used at three stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at five stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Least Darter, and Iowa Darter) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was conducted by IBI Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Bluegill were most abundant by number (average size was 5.4 inches and 16% were 7 inches or larger) and Bluegill, Common Carp, and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the trap net catch by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from July 13th, 2016 standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey provides supporting evidence that the fish community in Minnewashta Lake is adversely impacted by stressors as indicated by an FIBI score just below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River - Twin Cities Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Lake Minnewashta (DOW 10-0009-00) is a 738-acre, Class 24 Lake with a maximum depth of 70 feet. It is located in northeast Carver County in the City of Chanhassen. There are two boat launches located within a Carver County regional park. A fishing pier and short reach of shore access are available at City of Chanhassen's Roundhouse Park, on the lake's west shore. Lake Minnewashta is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass (Special Regulation: catch-and-release-only) and Northern Pike. Lake Minnewashta supports additional game species, including Bluegill and Black Crappie. A standard survey (11 trap nets/9 gill nets) was conducted on Lake Minnewashta during the week of 7/13/16 to monitor water characteristics and fish populations. Lake Minnewashta is a productive eutrophic lake. Water clarity was 5 feet, with overall water color brown-green during the 2016 survey. Dissolved oxygen fell to zero parts per million at depths greater than 18 feet. The Lake Minnewashta Park beach was closed for a period in late September 2016 because of high E. coli bacteria levels. Zebra mussels were first discovered in Lake Minnewashta during summer 2016. Largemouth Bass in Lake Minnewashta have been managed under a Special Regulation-catch-and-release-only- since 1997. Nighttime boat electrofishing sampled Largemouth Bass at a rate of 78.2/hour. The 2016 catch rate was the highest recorded on Lake Minnewashta, and more than double the previous high catch rate of 31.4/hour. A total of 189 bass were sampled during electrofishing, with an average length of 10.5 inches and the largest measured at 20.1 inches. Despite high abundance, body condition was good. Largemouth Bass reached 9.3 inches by age 3, indicating average growth when compared to the statewide Lake-Class average. Results from a 2015 voluntary creel survey found about 50 percent of angler caught bass were greater than 15 inches, while 1 percent of bass were greater than 20 inches. As of the 2016 survey results, Largemouth Bass populations were near long-range management goals and will continue to be managed under the Special Regulation. Northern Pike in Lake Minnewashta were very abundant, with gill nets catches (11.7/net) well above the expected rate. Northern Pike average length was 22.8 inches, with a maximum length of 31.7 inches. When compared to other lakes across the state, growth rates were above average, with an average length of 21.4 inches at age 3. Body condition was on the low end of the normal range. An abundance of spawning habitat in Lake Minnewashta allows Northern Pike to consistently reproduce, shown by 9 consecutive year classes recorded in age analysis. Results from the 2016 Lake Minnewashta survey show Northern Pike exceeding management goals by most measures. Bluegill in Lake Minnewashta were abundant, with trap net catches (36.9/net) well above catch rates of similar lakes across the state. Bluegill were also sampled in unusually high numbers in gill nets (22.8/net), suggesting Bluegill are moving offshore during summer. Combining trap net and gill net catches, 583 total fish were caught; average length was 5.7 inches, with the largest measured at 7.9 inches. The 2016 survey results describe a population skewed toward small individuals. Despite high numbers of small fish, body condition was good. Bluegill growth was moderate, with an average length of 5.2 inches by age 3. Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (14.9/net) and trap nets (4.6/net), typical catch rates compared to similar lakes across Minnesota. Although Black Crappie catch rates in Lake Minnewashta were average compared to similar lakes, the 2016 catch values were the highest recorded on Lake Minnewashta. Combining trap net and gill net catches, 174 total fish were caught; average length was 7.0 inches with the largest measured at 12.4 inches. Body condition of Black Crappie was good; growth rates were normal compared to the statewide average, with an average length of 6.0 inches by age 3. Despite a high percentage of small fish in the catch, Lake Minnewashta has the potential to produce crappie greater than 12 inches. Other fishes sampled in low abundance were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Green Sunfish in Minnewashta. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Minnewashta. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Minnewashta has a maximum depth of 70 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Minnewashta is from 2025.

Yes — Minnewashta has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.