---
type: lake
name: "French Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Palisade"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 149
max_depth_ft: 37
latitude: 46.62392
longitude: -93.5456
lake_score: 54
dnr_lake_id: "01010400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/french-lake
---

# French Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Palisade

- **Surface Area**: 149 acres
- **Max Depth**: 37 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 54/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

French Lake is a 149-acre lake near Palisade in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.5 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 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 2020.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2020
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Gun Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/gun-lake) - 1.8 miles, 712 acres
- [Fleming Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/fleming-lake) - 2.2 miles, 319 acres
- [Wilkins Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/wilkins-lake) - 2.5 miles, 349 acres
- [Jenkins Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/jenkins-lake) - 3.6 miles, 114 acres
- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/portage-lake) - 6.5 miles, 372 acres
- [Turner Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/turner-lake) - 6.7 miles, 63 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.62392,-93.5456)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01010400)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/french-lake)*