Round Lake
About Round Lake
Round Lake is a 737-acre lake near Garrison in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 125 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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. Camp Holiday Resort & Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 14, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Round Lake
- 737 acres, up to 125 feet deep, near Garrison
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 13.6 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Camp Holiday Resort & Campground
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 737 acres
- Max depth
- 125 ft
- Shoreline
- 5 mi
- Water clarity
- 13.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 322 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)
- Camping: Camp Holiday Resort & Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 18
- Game fish
- 10
- 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
- 7
- Earliest
- April 5, 2017
- Latest
- May 2, 2022
- Most recent
- May 2, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Camp Holiday Resort & Campground is mapped on or near Round Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Round Lake
Compare Round Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Turtle Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Nichols108 acres
1.5 miles away
Partridge Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Nichols188 acres
2 miles away
Big Pine Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Cutler638 acres
2.1 miles away
Kenney Lake
14 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison109 acres
2.2 miles away
Scott Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison157 acres
3.2 miles away
Borden Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison1,011 acres
3.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Round Lake?
Round Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Garrison. It covers 737 acres and reaches 125 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Round Lake?
Round Lake covers 737 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 125 feet.
What fish can you catch at Round Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Round Lake?
Yes. Round Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Round Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Round 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 Round Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Round Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Round Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 14, from 7 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 5, 2017 and the latest is May 2, 2022.
Can you camp at Round Lake?
Yes. Camp Holiday Resort & Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Round Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Round Lake as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.