Lake Minnetonka
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Lake Minnetonka is mapped to a depth of 100 ft on the Minnesota DNR survey and covers about 14,217 acres in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
Measured from the Minnesota DNR lake bathymetric contour survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 100 ft
- Surface area
- 14,217 acres
- Shoreline
- 86.1 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 9% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Trailer Launch · Lake Minnetonka, Carson Bay Public Water Access Site · Minnesota DNR site · 19 more
Additional depth details10 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–100 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 100 ft, 80 ft, 70 ft, 60 ft, 60 ft, 50 ft
Provenance
Sources: MN DNR Lake Bathymetric Contours, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 44.92923, -93.55201
- MN DNR lake ID
- 27013300
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.6 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-25Lake Minnetonka has a substantially developed setting, long open-water fetch, substantial nearby higher-volume roads.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Modest | 0.7 of 35 | 25% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (17% forest, 8% wetland; 65% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Modest | 1.5 of 29 | mean fetch 6,418 m · 0% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · long open-water fetch |
| Motor & speed rules | Not modeled | — | Minnesota’s lake-by-lake motor, speed and no-wake rules are mostly county and city ordinances, not map data, so they are not part of the Minnesota index. Check local signage and ordinances before going out. |
| Public access | Excellent | 17.6 of 18 | 20 DNR public access sites · carry-in or canoe launch · boat ramp · ADA-accessible · fishing pier |
| Road isolation | Modest | 0.9 of 18 | substantial nearby higher-volume roads · 315 MnDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 72,297 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 9% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Limited — 17% forest and 8% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Minnesota lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys & active stocking19 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Common Carp
White Sucker
Hybrid Sunfish
Golden ShinerAbout these fish → the Fish of Minnesota guide
Fishery
surveyed 2022Gamefish Northern Pike 297 · Walleye 67 · Largemouth Bass 10 · Bowfin 6
Panfish Bluegill 2,970 · Hybrid Sunfish 377 · Pumpkinseed 169
All survey species19 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
DNR stocking
state stocking record · 2016–2025Fish the Minnesota DNR has planted in this lake — what was added, distinct from what a survey netted above.
Infested waters listing
3 confirmedMussels & snails
Zebra MusselConfirmed in this water in 2010 (listed 2010).
Plants & algae
Eurasian WatermilfoilConfirmed in this water in 1987 (listed 1995).
Flowering RushConfirmed in this water in 2009 (listed 2009).
How to identify invasive species in Minnesota lakes →
What does the infested waters list mean?
The Minnesota DNR lists a lake, river, pond or wetland as infested when it contains an aquatic invasive species that could spread to other waters, or when it is connected to a water where one is present. Activities such as bait harvest and water use are managed differently on infested waters. Check the current list before moving water, bait or equipment.
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. List of Infested Waters, September 9, 2026. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/ais/infested.html
Lake Minnetonka — common questions
How deep is Lake Minnetonka?
The deepest contour on the Minnesota DNR bathymetric survey of Lake Minnetonka is 100 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Lake Minnetonka?
Lake Minnetonka covers about 14,217 acres in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
What fish are in Lake Minnetonka?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, black bullhead. The page lists all 19 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Lake Minnetonka?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR lists 20 public access sites on Lake Minnetonka: Lake Minnetonka, Carson Bay Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Lake Minnetonka, Grays Bay Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Lake Minnetonka, Halsted Bay Public Water Access Site (boat ramp); Lake Minnetonka, Maxwell Bay Public Water Access Site (boat ramp) and 16 more.
