---
type: lake
name: "Gun Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Palisade"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 712
max_depth_ft: 44
latitude: 46.64515
longitude: -93.52495
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "01009900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/gun-lake
---

# Gun Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Palisade

- **Surface Area**: 712 acres
- **Max Depth**: 44 ft
- **Average Depth**: 18 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 15
- **Years of record**: 18
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-14
- **Latest**: 2013-05-10

## Nearby Lakes

- [Wilkins Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/wilkins-lake) - 1.3 miles, 349 acres
- [Fleming Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/fleming-lake) - 1.6 miles, 319 acres
- [French Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/french-lake) - 1.8 miles, 149 acres
- [Jenkins Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/jenkins-lake) - 2.1 miles, 114 acres
- [Turner Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/turner-lake) - 6.2 miles, 63 acres
- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/portage-lake) - 6.5 miles, 372 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.64515,-93.52495)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01009900)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

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