Rat Lake
About Rat Lake
Rat Lake is a 431-acre lake near Palisade in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.5 feet.
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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the township. Ice typically goes out around April 12, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Rat Lake
- 431 acres, up to 21 feet deep, near Palisade
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the 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 5.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 431 acres
- Max depth
- 21 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 389 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 (gravel or earth)
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
- 13
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- 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 12
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- March 21, 2012
- Latest
- April 29, 2022
- Most recent
- April 29, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Rat Lake
Compare Rat Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Rat Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Big Sandy Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor6,125 acres
4.3 miles away
Minnewawa Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor2,351 acres
4.3 miles away
Round Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor185 acres
5.1 miles away
Aitkin Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Libby659 acres
6.5 miles away
Horseshoe Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack240 acres
6.5 miles away
Rock Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor341 acres
6.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rat Lake?
Rat Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Palisade. It covers 431 acres and reaches 21 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Rat Lake?
Rat Lake covers 431 acres with about 4.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 21 feet.
What fish can you catch at Rat 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 Rat Lake?
Yes. Rat Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Rat Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Rat 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 Rat Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Rat Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Rat Lake?
Yes. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Rat Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 12, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 21, 2012 and the latest is April 29, 2022.