O'Dowd

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. 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.

O'Dowd Lake is a 300-acre lake with a maximum depth typically measured at under 25 feet, located south of Shakopee, in northern Scott County. O'Dowd is primarily managed for Walleye and Northern Pike, but includes catchable populations of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. Walleye numbers are maintained through a plan of annual fall fingerling stocking. A standard survey (trap nets and gill nets) was conducted on O'Dowd Lake during the week of 7/31/2017. During the survey, water clarity was 4.5 feet, with low oxygen below 10 feet. Eurasian Watermilfoil also remains present in O'Dowd. Walleye were captured at a high rate (5.0/net) compared to similar lakes throughout the metro. Walleye averaged 14.4 inches, with the largest measured at 28.2 inches. Walleye grow fast in O'Dowd Lake, reaching 15.7 inches by age-3. Annual Walleye stocking combined with moderate Northern Pike numbers allow stocked fish to thrive, providing both ice and open water angling opportunity. Northern Pike numbers in O'Dowd Lake were moderate, with 5.0/net. Average size of Northern Pike in gill nets was 25.3 inches, with the largest measured at 33.6 inches. Growth was fast compared to similar lakes across the state. The Northern Pike population in O'Dowd Lake is healthy, with many year classes of fish. Largemouth Bass are present in O'Dowd Lake, although were not sampled with boat electrofishing during the 2017 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 14 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 14.2 inches and the largest measured at 19.8 inches. Bluegill numbers have been on a decline during the previous 25 years, reaching the lowest value sampled--26/net-- during this (2017) survey. Bluegill averaged 5.5 inches, with the largest measured at 7.4 inches. Approximately 9% of sampled fish were greater than 7.0 inches. Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (6.3/net) and trap nets (6.7/net) -- near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. Black Crappie averaged 7.2 inches, with the largest measured at 10.8 inches. Approximately 12% of sampled fish were greater than 9.0 inches. Other fish species sampled in low abundance were Black Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, and Yellow Perch.

O'Dowd is a highly productive Class 42 lake located just south of Shakopee. It is 300 acres, with a maximum depth of 22 feet. The lake's shoreline is complex, with numerous islands scattered throughout the lake, and bottom substrates varying between muck and large rocks. A good portion of the lake shore is developed with single-family homes and there is an 18-hole golf course on the north shore. Because of a combination of a fertile watershed, shallow depth, and development, Lake O'Dowd is a very nutrient-rich lake; a winter aeration system has been operated since the mid-1980s to help sustain fish populations. (In winter 2010-11, a partial winterkill was noted in spite of an operating aerator.) Despite issues associated with a shallow, eutrophic lake, O'Dowd remains an important fishery and recreational resource in the local area. It is primarily managed for Walleye and Northern Pike and secondarily for Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. Walleye fingerlings are stocked annually. In 2013, a population assessment was conducted, consisting of spring trap netting and night-time electrofishing, followed by summer gill netting. Walleye are abundant in Lake O'Dowd, and of quality size. The catch rate in 2013, 8.2 fish per gill net, was slightly higher than the previous survey (2007; catch of 7.8 fish per gill net). Prior to 2007, catch rates of walleye had been noticeably lower, ranging from 1.3 fish per net in 1996, to 4.3 fish per net in 1991. The average size of Walleye in 2013 was 16.8 inches and 2 pounds. Thirty-six percent of fish were longer than 16 inches, and 28% were longer than 20 inches. Ages two through nine were represented in the sample, with the majority of fish age 2. Walleye growth appears fast in O'Dowd, relative to statewide average. Fish reach 16 inches by age 3. While Northern Pike are only moderately abundant, they are of good size. The catch rate in 2013, 3.5 fish per gill net was lower than the previous survey value (5/3 fish per gill net in 2007). Historically, Northern Pike abundance has been high, but has been gradually decreasing since it peaked at 8.8 fish per net in 1996. Average size of Northern Pike has increased since the previous survey, from 3.0 pounds in 2007 to 3.6 pounds in 2013. Average length of Northern Pike in 2013 was 24.6 inches, with fish as large as 37 inches sampled. Ninety percent of the sampled fish were longer than 21 inches, and 24% of the sample was longer than 28 inches. Ages two through six appeared consistently in the sample, with one age eight. Northern Pike growth appears fast relative to statewide averages of length at age. Fish reach 24 inches by age 4. Largemouth Bass were abundant in the night-time electrofishing sample (102.3 per hour on-time), relative to other lakes in the West Metro area; however, few large fish were sampled. Thirty-two percent of the sample was longer than 12 inches, and 5% were longer than 16 inches. The largest Bass sampled was 19.9 inches. The average weight of Largemouth Bass was 0.8 pounds. Fish ages 2 through 10 were present in the sample. The fish reached 12 inches by age 4, and 20 inches by age 10. Although only moderately abundant, Black Crappie sampled in the spring trap nets were of quality size. The catch rate of 4.1 per trap net falls below the median for this type of lake, and the fish average 8.7 inches and 0.4 pounds. Forty-seven percent of the fish caught were longer than 8 inches, and 39% were longer than 10 inches. The largest Black Crappie measured 12.0 inches. Ages two through seven were represented in the trap net sample. Black Crappie grow fast in Lake O'Dowd, reaching 10 inches by age four. Lake O'Dowd has historically had a highly abundant population of small-sized Bluegill. While this continues to be the case from this survey's results, abundance-average size balance appears to be more favorable. Trap net catch rates have decreased from 85 fish per trap net in 2007 to 35 fish per trap net in 2013 (still high for this type of lake). Size has also improved, from an average length of 5.1 inches in 2007 to an average length of 6.1 inches in 2013. Sixty-six percent of the Bluegill sampled in 2013 were larger than 6 inches, and only two percent were larger than 8 inches. Not surprisingly, these fish are slower growing relative to statewide averages of length at age. Lake O'Dowd Bluegill attain a length of 6 inches by age 5.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Yellow Perch in O'Dowd. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

O'Dowd has a maximum depth of 22 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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