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Lake Minnetonka

Minnesota · Natural · near Wayzata

14,528 acres 113 ft deep 8 ft clarity Water C
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6.2SCORE
Survey summary · Minnesota
14,528
Surface acres
113 ft
Max depth
125 mi
Shoreline
8 ft
Typical clarity
929 ft
Elevation

Lake Minnetonka covers 14,528 acres in Minnesota and drops to 113 feet at its deepest point. It is a natural lake, which generally means a more stable shoreline and fewer drawdown surprises than an impoundment. Level is unusually stable, which protects dock usability and shoreline appearance year round. Short-term rental posture: Restricted in most cities. Confirm at the municipal level before underwriting rental income.

What stands out

  • Very stable water level year-round
  • Boating
  • Sailing

Watch outs

  • Short-term rental rules are restrictive — do not assume rental income

Score breakdown

WATER RECREATION VALUE ACCESS INVESTMENT
Water 6.2
Recreation 6.4
Value 7.7
Access 6.1
Investment 4.5

Each axis is computed by published formula from this lake's own attributes. How we score.

Water quality grade
Water A
ExcellentClear, low-nutrient water. Typically oligotrophic with high clarity and little seasonal algae.
Water B
GoodHealthy water with moderate clarity. Some seasonal variation, no persistent problems.
Water C
FairProductive water — good fishing, reduced clarity. Algae possible in late summer.
Water D
PoorNutrient-rich or heavily drawn down. Swimmable conditions vary; check before you rely on them.

Computed from measured clarity, trophic state, and drawdown magnitude — not an opinion. See the formula.

Overall score, 1–10
8.0+
ExceptionalStrong on every axis we measure.
7.0–7.9
StrongClearly above average, usually with one standout axis.
6.0–6.9
SolidA good lake with a trade-off worth understanding.
5.0–5.9
MixedReal strengths and real compromises.
Under 5
CompromisedSomething material — volatility, water quality, or access.

Weighted: water 26% · recreation 22% · investment 20% · value 18% · access 14%.

Fishery

MuskieWalleyeNorthern pikeLargemouth bass

On the water

BoatingSailingFishingDining
Live from LAKE MINNETONKA ABV GRAYS BAY OTLT IN MINNETONKA. This is a lake or reservoir station measuring gage height on this water body — direct sensor readings, not estimates.
1.81 ft
Gage height
2026-08-04

Gauge history

Daily values from USGS. Loading up to one year.

Where it is

True shoreline from USGS NHD 56 km²

The outline is this lake's actual boundary from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset, not an approximation — 677 boundary points. Basemap is USGS topographic with contours and hydrography. Switch layers at the top right.

Depth profile

SURFACE 113 ft max avg 36 ft

Idealized cross-section. Max depth 113 ft, average 36 ft. Depth at a specific dock depends on local bathymetry — verify at the property.

Level behaviour

Level stabilityStable Typical drawdown1 ft Drawdown seasonNone Trophic stateMesotrophic Typical clarity8 ft Water quality gradeC Elevation929 ft Managing authorityMN DNR / LMCD

Dock & shoreline

Permitting authorityLake Minnetonka Conservation Dist Wake / speed rulesNo-wake 150ft
A dock is never guaranteed. Confirm in writing with Lake Minnetonka Conservation Dist that the specific parcel is eligible before you remove contingencies.

Short-term rental posture

Restricted in most cities

Restrictions apply and vary by jurisdiction. Verify at the municipal level before you offer.
Model rental income →
Modeled estimates. Market figures are derived from lake attributes and regional patterns, not from MLS data. Treat them as a starting point, not a comp.
$270,000
Median waterfront
$1,172
Per shoreline foot
-1.2%
Year over year
326
Est. inventory
114
Avg days on market
$317
Est. nightly rate

Rental snapshot

Modeled occupancy58% Booked nights / yr152 Gross revenue$57,130 Net operating income$25,188 Yield on median price9.33%
Open the full model →

What a median-priced home on Lake Minnetonka actually costs to carry, with waterfront-specific line items most calculators omit.

$2,585
All-in per month
$63,730
Cash to close + setup
$9,710
Beyond P&I, tax, insurance
Where the annual cost goes
$31,016 PER YEAR
Principal & interest $17,071 (58%) Maintenance reserve (1.1%) $2,970 (10%) Property taxes $2,835 (10%) Utilities $2,700 (9%) Hazard insurance $1,400 (5%) Shoreline / seawall reserve $960 (3%) Dock maintenance $900 (3%) Winterization / seasonal close $750 (3%)

Annual carry

Principal & interest$17,071
Property taxes$2,835
Hazard insurance$1,400
Flood insurance$650
Utilities$2,700
Maintenance reserve (1.1%)$2,970
Septic service$520
Well & water testing$260
Dock maintenance$900
Winterization / seasonal close$750
Shoreline / seawall reserve$960
Total$31,016
Model your own numbers →

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