---
type: lake
name: "Hickory Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Aitkin"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 212
max_depth_ft: 32
latitude: 46.4393
longitude: -93.73216
lake_score: 69
dnr_lake_id: "01017900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hickory-lake
---

# Hickory Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Aitkin

- **Surface Area**: 212 acres
- **Max Depth**: 32 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 15.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 69/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Hickory Lake is a 212-acre lake near Aitkin in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 32 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.3 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

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 2023.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface). Hickory Lake Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 11 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Hickory Lake Campground

## Fish Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 11
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-12
- **Latest**: 2018-05-02

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/little-pine-lake) - 0.7 miles, 226 acres
- [Spirit Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/spirit-lake) - 1.4 miles, 523 acres
- [Farm Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/farm-island-lake) - 2.3 miles, 2,005 acres
- [Hanging Kettle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hanging-kettle-lake) - 2.7 miles, 318 acres
- [Hammal Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hammal-lake) - 3.1 miles, 376 acres
- [Thornton Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/thornton-lake) - 3.2 miles, 161 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.4393,-93.73216)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01017900)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

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