---
type: lake
name: "Rat Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Palisade"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 431
max_depth_ft: 21
latitude: 46.71884
longitude: -93.34635
lake_score: 54
dnr_lake_id: "01007700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/rat-lake
---

# Rat Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Palisade

- **Surface Area**: 431 acres
- **Max Depth**: 21 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 54/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: township
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 12
- **Years of record**: 5
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-21
- **Latest**: 2022-04-29

## Nearby Lakes

- [Big Sandy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/big-sandy-lake) - 4.3 miles, 6,125 acres
- [Minnewawa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/minnewawa-lake) - 4.3 miles, 2,351 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/round-lake-mcgregor) - 5.1 miles, 185 acres
- [Aitkin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/aitkin-lake) - 6.5 miles, 659 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/horseshoe-lake) - 6.5 miles, 240 acres
- [Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/rock-lake) - 6.5 miles, 341 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.71884,-93.34635)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01007700)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

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