---
type: lake
name: "Hill Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Hill City"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 794
max_depth_ft: 48
latitude: 47.00229
longitude: -93.59049
lake_score: 76
dnr_lake_id: "01014200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hill-lake
---

# Hill Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Hill City

- **Surface Area**: 794 acres
- **Max Depth**: 48 ft
- **Average Depth**: 22 ft
- **Shoreline**: 10.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 76/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Hill Lake is a 794-acre lake near Hill City in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 48 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 22 feet, and has roughly 10.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 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 2025.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city and Minnesota DNR. OpenStreetMap shows Hill lake Beach on or beside the lake. Hill City Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city, Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground

### Beaches

- Hill lake Beach

### Campgrounds

- Hill City Campground

## Fish Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 8
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-24
- **Latest**: 2013-05-13

## Nearby Lakes

- [Dinner Pail Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/dinner-pail-lake) - 2.8 miles, 47 acres
- [Taylor Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/taylor-lake) - 3.7 miles, 55 acres
- [Mountain Ash Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/mountain-ash-lake) - 3.8 miles, 101 acres
- [Split Hand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/split-hand-lake) - 6.3 miles, 1,374 acres
- [Smith Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/smith-lake-hill-city) - 7.1 miles, 43 acres
- [Little Split Hand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-split-hand-lake) - 8 miles, 244 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.00229,-93.59049)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01014200)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

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