Minnewawa Lake
About Minnewawa Lake
Minnewawa Lake is a 2,351-acre lake near McGregor in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 8 feet, and has roughly 18.6 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 67 Aitkin County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
There are 4 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 52 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Minnewawa Lake
- 2,351 acres, up to 21 feet deep, near McGregor
- 4 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 4.9 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 2,351 acres
- Max depth
- 21 ft
- Average depth
- 8 ft
- Shoreline
- 18.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 2,286 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
- 4 public boat launches (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
- 15
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Walleye: Possession limit three.
- 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 17
- Years of record
- 52
- Earliest
- March 24, 2012
- Latest
- May 11, 2013
- Most recent
- April 11, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Minnewawa Lake
Compare Minnewawa Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Minnewawa Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Horseshoe Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack240 acres
2.4 miles away
Round Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack554 acres
3.2 miles away
Big Sandy Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor6,125 acres
3.3 miles away
Island Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack244 acres
3.7 miles away
Rat Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Palisade431 acres
4.3 miles away
Glacier Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Balsam135 acres
6.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Minnewawa Lake?
Minnewawa Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near McGregor. It covers 2,351 acres and reaches 21 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Minnewawa Lake?
Minnewawa Lake covers 2,351 acres with about 18.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 21 feet and its average depth is about 8 feet.
What fish can you catch at Minnewawa Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Minnewawa Lake?
Yes. Minnewawa Lake has 4 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Minnewawa Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Minnewawa 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 Minnewawa Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Minnewawa Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Minnewawa Lake?
Yes. Possession limit three. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Minnewawa Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 17, from 52 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 24, 2012 and the latest is May 11, 2013.