O'Dowd Lake Fishing in Scott County, Minnesota

• Overview

  O'Dowd Lake is one of the Scott County waters in Minnesota. It sits at 932 feet above sea level. At some 291 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The perimeter runs near 6.1 miles, so plan the walk before you start. It is among the larger waters listed here for Scott County. Some 4.2 miles away sits Shakopee, the nearest settlement. Minneapolis sits 21 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on O'Dowd Lake

  Depth records show about 25 feet at the bottom of the basin. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Records held for Scott County cover bluegill, largemouth bass and black crappie. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. O'Dowd Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 11°F to 72°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. Averages place the thaw at early April and the freeze at late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. That is the shape of the year on O'Dowd Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. You can launch: the ramp is half a mile away. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. The nearest alternative is Schneider Lake, 0.8 miles out. The position on O'Dowd Lake is worth confirming on the day.