Prior Lake is a T28 priority Minnesota lake profile for southwest metro recreation lake; this profile uses Lower Prior Lake as the DOW anchor and notes the connected Upper Prior basin. This page is built for visitors who need a quick orientation plus official links for maps, DOW identification, access, water quality, and fishing context.
Use the Prior Lake profile as a planning start, not as a replacement for current field checks. Access status, lake levels, invasive species notices, fish regulations, and water-quality conditions can change by season.
The profile emphasizes practical lake use: where the lake sits in Minnesota, what kind of recreation it supports, why the waterbody matters, and which official resources a visitor should open before driving, launching, paddling, or fishing.