Nord Lake
About Nord Lake
Nord Lake is a 418-acre lake near Aitkin in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 29 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 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 is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 14, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Nord Lake
- 418 acres, up to 29 feet deep, near Aitkin
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 8.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 418 acres
- Max depth
- 29 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 272 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
- 14
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 14
- Years of record
- 9
- Earliest
- April 6, 2015
- Latest
- May 9, 2013
- Most recent
- April 11, 2020
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Nord Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Four Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin137 acres
1.1 miles away
Hanson Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin143 acres
1.8 miles away
Ripple Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin630 acres
2.2 miles away
Section Ten Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin436 acres
2.4 miles away
Sissabagamah Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin406 acres
2.4 miles away
Elm Island Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin520 acres
2.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nord Lake?
Nord Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Aitkin. It covers 418 acres and reaches 29 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Nord Lake?
Nord Lake covers 418 acres with about 5.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 29 feet.
What fish can you catch at Nord Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Nord Lake?
Yes. Nord Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Nord Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Nord 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 Nord Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Nord Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Nord Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 14, from 9 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 6, 2015 and the latest is May 9, 2013.