Orchard

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Orchard Lake on September 4th, 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 32 survey sites evenly spaced 70 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 57.8 (+/- 3.4) out of 100 possible. A score of 57.8 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Poor (50-65.9). Approximately 88 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 52.9 (+/- 2.8) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-65.9), while four undeveloped sites had a mean score of 91.7 (+/- 3.2) with High (85-91.9) habitat quality.

Orchard Lake is a 235 acre (177 littoral acres), class 29 lake located in Lakeville in Dakota County. The lake is primarily managed for Hybrid (Tiger) Muskellunge and Largemouth Bass. Hybrid Muskellunge fingerlings are stocked at a rate of 2 fish per surface acre (468 fish) in even numbered years. Walleye were last stocked in 2015. An analysis of stocking effectiveness in 2017 determined that stocking was largely ineffective at providing a Walleye fishery and stocking plans were changed so that surplus Walleye fingerlings would be stocked at a rate of 1 pound/littoral acre when they are available. The lake was sampled with gill nets and trap nets in June while electrofishing targeting Largemouth Bass was conducted in May. The previous survey on this lake occurred in 2012. Walleye were sampled by gill nets at a rate of 0.5 fish per net. This is equal to the 25th percentile for the lake class and similar to historical catch rates for the lake. Both fish sampled were approximately 20 inches long and 8 years old. Walleye are not expected to be abundant in this system as stocking has not occurred since 2015. Hybrid (Tiger) Muskellunge were sampled at a rate of 1.25 fish per gill net. This is the highest catch rate on record although it is questionable as to how accurately summer gill netting reflects Hybrid Muskellunge population metrics. Fish ranged in length from 26.9 to 37.4 inches with a mean of 30.8 inches. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 5.8 fish per gill net, slightly below average for the lake class. Historical catches for this lake have varied widely but this rate is the lowest recorded and substantial lower than catches from the 2001 survey and earlier. Mean size exceeded the 75th percentile for the lake class with an average length of 22.7 inches. This is similar to historical average sizes surveyed. The largest fish sampled was 29 inches. Yellow Perch were sampled by gill nets at a rate of 2 fish per net. This is equal to the 25th percentile for the lake class and typical for the lake relative to historical catches. Sizes ranged from 5.8 to 6.4 inches. Trap nets sampled Bluegill at a rate of 14.4 fish per net. This is substantially lower than the average for the lake class and historical surveys. Catch rates have been over 100 fish per net for every survey since 1991. Size was relatively small with a mean length of 4.6 inches and a maximum of 7.8 inches. Black Crappie were sampled by trap nets at a rate of 1.1 fish per net. This is typical for the lake and lake class. Fish size was respectable with a mean length of 8.9 inches and fish up to 10.9 inches sampled. Largemouth Bass were sampled by electrofishing at a rate of 66.6 fish per hour. This is roughly half the catch rate of the previous survey and somewhat low relative to other historical catch rates. Mean size was the largest recorded with an average length of 12.4 inches. Fish up to 19 inches were sampled and 20 percent were longer than 15 inches. Other species sampled were: Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

Orchard Lake is a 235 acre lake in western Dakota County primarily managed for hybrid Muskellunge and Largemouth Bass with Walleye as a secondary management species. Nighttime electrofishing was conducted in both 2016 (May 25) and 2017 (June 05) to assess the Largemouth Bass population in Orchard Lake. Largemouth Bass catch rate was 121 fish per hour during this survey (103 per hour in 2016), indicating a relatively high abundance of Largemouth Bass compared to other lakes in the East Metro area. Approximately 44% of Largemouth Bass sampled during this survey were greater than 12 inches in length, and 7% were greater than 16 inches. Bass over 19 inches in length were sampled in both years.

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

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Orchard. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Orchard has a maximum depth of 33 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Orchard is from 2022.

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