O'Dowd Lake is a lake in Scott County, Minnesota. O'Dowd Lake covers about 298 acres, reaches a recorded 22 feet and holds about 2,001 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of O'Dowd Lake Affect Fishing
O'Dowd Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.
Fish and Baits at O'Dowd Lake
Fish reported from O'Dowd Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common shiner, golden shiner, green sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white crappie, white sucker, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at O'Dowd, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at O'Dowd, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at O'Dowd, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at O'Dowd, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Catfish and Bullheads
For bottom fishing at O'Dowd, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.
How the Seasons Change O'Dowd Lake
Spring at O'Dowd is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at O'Dowd can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing O'Dowd Lake
On a first trip to O'Dowd, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for O'Dowd Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at O'Dowd, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
O'Dowd Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 298-acre O'Dowd Lake?
At O'Dowd, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 22-foot deep end of O'Dowd Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at O'Dowd is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 2,001 acre-foot storage figure mean at O'Dowd Lake?
At O'Dowd, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.
Nearby fishing waters
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.