Esquagamah Lake
About Esquagamah Lake
Esquagamah Lake is an 842-acre lake near Palisade in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 31 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 13 feet, and has roughly 6.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 43 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Esquagamah Lake
- 842 acres, up to 31 feet deep, near Palisade
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 4.6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 842 acres
- Max depth
- 31 ft
- Average depth
- 13 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 520 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 16
- Years of record
- 43
- Earliest
- March 15, 2024
- Latest
- May 6, 1996
- Most recent
- April 17, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Esquagamah Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Round Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin634 acres
2.1 miles away
Waukenabo Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Palisade668 acres
3.4 miles away
Moulton Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Emily258 acres
3.9 miles away
Lows Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Little Pine302 acres
6.5 miles away
Blind Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Pine Knoll304 acres
6.6 miles away
Bass Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Swatara120 acres
7.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Esquagamah Lake?
Esquagamah Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Palisade. It covers 842 acres and reaches 31 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Esquagamah Lake?
Esquagamah Lake covers 842 acres with about 6.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 31 feet and its average depth is about 13 feet.
What fish can you catch at Esquagamah Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Esquagamah Lake?
Yes. Esquagamah Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Esquagamah Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Esquagamah Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Esquagamah Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Esquagamah Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Esquagamah Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 43 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 15, 2024 and the latest is May 6, 1996.