There are 15 lakes in the City of Prior Lake. Prior Lake is the largest at over 1,340 acres (Upper Prior and Lower Prior together) and is ranked as one of the top 10 most popular recreational lakes in Minnesota. Spring Lake is also a popular recreational lake and is the second largest at about 590 acres. Our lakes are part of who we are. All year long, residents and visitors enjoy the abundant recreational opportunities our lakes provide, including fishing, swimming, boating, wildlife viewing, and more.

Lake Locations and Information

Lower Prior Lake                   Jeffers Pond
Upper Prior Lake                   Little Prior Lake
Arctic Lake                            Spring Lake
Blind Lake                             Markley Lake
Campbell Lake                      Mystic Lake
Crystal Lake                          Pike Lake
Haas Lake                             Rice Lake
Howard Lake

Boating and Lake Use Rules

In addition to standard statewide boating rules, Prior Lake and Spring Lake have these additional local boating rules:

• Slow no-wake within 150 feet of the shore
• No towing through a marked slow no-wake zone
• 40 mph speed limit: sunrise to half hour after sunset, weekends and holidays, Memorial Day to Labor Day only
• 20 mph speed limit: half hour after sunset to sunrise, year round

All other lakes within the City are subject to the statewide boating rules. The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for boating rules enforcement.

Water Surface Use Management (WSUM)

Water Surface Use Management (WSUM) is the DNR’s term for water surface zoning that involves lake use regulations. WSUM regulations work in conjunction with state boating laws. While the boating laws focus more on the boat or watercraft itself, WSUM allows local governments to address lake specific concerns.

The goal of WSUM is to enhance the recreational use, safety and enjoyment of the water surfaces and to preserve these water resources in a way that reflects the state’s paramount concern for the protection of its natural resources. In pursuit of that goal, an ordinance or rule shall:

1. Accommodate all compatible recreational uses where practical and feasible;
2. Minimize adverse impact on natural resources;
3. Minimize conflicts between users in a way that provides for maximum use, safety and enjoyment; and
4. Conform to the state standards

The Prior Lake City Council adopted changes to the City's Water Surface Use Management Ordinance on September 13, 2016. the major ordinance changes include: 

• Addition of Spring Lake
• Paradise Bay on Prior Lake added as a new marked slow no-wake zone
• No towing a person through a marked slow no-wake zone
• Towing a person at slow no-wake speed is allowed within 150 of the shore 

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for enforcing our WSUM ordinance. You may contact County Dispatch to report boating and lake use violations at 952-445-1411.

Spring Lake and Prior Lake both have permanent 150-foot slow no-wake zones around the entire shoreline. Residents who own property on these lakes and want to install marker buoys 150 feet from the shoreline to mark this zone need to apply for a free permit from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. The permit is automatically renewed each year after the initial application. Click here to apply for the permit. The round marker buoys are bright orange and can be purchased from local marinas.

Public Fishing Docks

The City of Prior Lake maintains six public fishing docks that offer fishing opportunities to anglers of all ages and abilities. Grab a pole and try your luck at the following locations:
     Sand Point Beach (Lower Prior Lake)
     Grainwood Crossing (Lower Prior Lake)
     Raymond Park (Spring Lake)
     Jeffers Fish Pond
     Little Prior Lake
     Crystal Lake

Little Prior Lake, near the entrance to Lakefront Park, Jeffers Fish Pond, and Crystal Lake at Hickory Shores Park are all part of the Minnesota DNR's Fishing in the Neighborhood Program.

Please Don't Feed the Waterfowl

Most people enjoy seeing Canada Geese and ducks. However, these birds often wear out their welcome when they become too numerous and take over yards, beaches and docks. The City of Prior Lake maintains two public beaches: Sand Point Beach and Watzl's Beach. Geese and ducks are often present at these beaches and sometimes become a nuisance, especially when people feed them. Feeding them makes the birds want to linger around the beach during the summer and fall. Beach closures due to water pollution (E. coli) are more likely when geese and/or ducks are present. Please don’t feed the waterfowl. Visit the City's public beaches page for more information about our beaches and water quality testing.

Invasive Species - Animals

Aquatic invasive species such as Carp, zebra mussels, and Eurasian watermilfoil now inhabit many lakes and rivers in Minnesota, including some of our local lakes. These species create problems for native aquatic animals and plants and for people who enjoy using our lakes for recreation.

The DNR discovered zebra mussels in Prior Lake in 2009. Zebra mussels pose serious ecological and economic threats to Minnesota Lakes. Heavy infestations can kill native mussels, may impact fish populations, can interfere with recreation, and can increase costs for industry, including power and water supply facilities. Visit The DNR's aquatic invasive species web page to learn what you can do to prevent further infestation.

Common Carp are present in many of our lakes, including Spring Lake, Prior Lake, Jeffers Pond, and Pike Lake. Carp are one of the most damaging aquatic invasive species due to the severe impacts they have on lakes and wetlands. Their feeding habits disrupt aquatic plants, stir up bottom sediments (making the water muddy), and cause an overall decline in water quality by releasing phosphorus that feeds algae blooms. The Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District (PLSLWD) is a local government agency involved with Carp management. The PLSLWD is actively working to target and remove carp from our lakes through their integrated Pest Management Plan for Common Carp.

Invasive Species - Plants

Eurasian Watermilfoil is present in Prior Lake, Pike Lake, and Jeffers Pond. Curly-leaf Pondweed has also been found in local lakes including Prior Lake and Spring Lake. Both of these invasive plants were accidentally introduced into our lakes. For more information about what you should do to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, visit the DNR's invasive species web page.

Shoreline Alterations, Beaches, Private Docks

Many projects that occur near lakes, including adding sand to beaches, protecting the shoreline with riprap, and grading near the water, may be subject to Minnesota DNR rules. Please visit our Lakeshore Preservation page and the DNR website for answers to common questions and further guidance about shoreline alterations.

Ice Safety

The City of Prior Lake cannot provide ice condition reports. If you are unfamiliar with the area, local bait shops can be a great source of information for ice conditions and areas to avoid. In general, there should be a minimum of four inches of good ice for foot travel, six inches for snowmobiles and ATVs, and 12+ inches for vehicles. For more information, visit the Minnesota DNR ice safety page.

The following lakes are aerated and contain open water in the winter.  Please use caution near these lakes:

• Arctic Lake: Located south of Glynwater Trail NW, this lake flows through a channel under Fremont Avenue NW and into Prior Lake. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) provides year-round aeration for Arctic Lake. In the summer, aerating provides increased oxygen levels which prevent the release of phosphorus and inhibit algae growth. During the winter, it helps reduce fish die-off. For more information, contact the SMSC Land and Natural Resources Department at 952-233-4242.

• Crystal Lake: Crystal Lake is located south of Highway 13 and flows north through a residential area before entering Prior Lake. This lake is aerated in the winter to help reduce fish die-off.

• Little Prior Lake: Located near Prior Lake City Hall in Lakefront Park, Little Prior is aerated in the winter to help reduce fish die-off.