Gun Lake
About Gun Lake
Gun Lake is a 712-acre lake near Palisade in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 44 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 18 feet, and has roughly 8.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.3 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 15, based on 18 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Gun Lake
- 712 acres, up to 44 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, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 6.3 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 712 acres
- Max depth
- 44 ft
- Average depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 292 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
- 16
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 15
- Years of record
- 18
- Earliest
- March 14, 2024
- Latest
- May 10, 2013
- Most recent
- April 18, 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 Gun Lake
Compare Gun Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Gun Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Gun Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Gun Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Gun Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Wilkins Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Palisade349 acres
1.3 miles away
Fleming Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Palisade319 acres
1.6 miles away
French Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Palisade149 acres
1.8 miles away
Jenkins Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Palisade114 acres
2.1 miles away
Turner Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor63 acres
6.2 miles away
Portage Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Kimberly372 acres
6.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gun Lake?
Gun Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Palisade. It covers 712 acres and reaches 44 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Gun Lake?
Gun Lake covers 712 acres with about 8.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 44 feet and its average depth is about 18 feet.
What fish can you catch at Gun Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth 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 Gun Lake?
Yes. Gun Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Gun Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Gun 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 Gun Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Gun Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Gun Lake?
Yes. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Gun Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 15, from 18 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 14, 2024 and the latest is May 10, 2013.