Round Lake
About Round Lake
Round Lake is a 554-acre lake near Tamarack in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 27 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 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 2022.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 15, based on 16 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Round Lake
- 554 acres, up to 27 feet deep, near Tamarack
- 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 15.6 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 554 acres
- Max depth
- 27 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 375 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
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 11
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- 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 15
- Years of record
- 16
- Earliest
- March 20, 2012
- Latest
- May 11, 2013
- Most recent
- April 3, 2016
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Round Lake
Compare Round Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Round Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Round Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Horseshoe Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack240 acres
1.6 miles away
Island Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack244 acres
2.6 miles away
Minnewawa Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor2,351 acres
3.2 miles away
Big Sandy Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · McGregor6,125 acres
5.4 miles away
Glacier Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Balsam135 acres
6.7 miles away
Rat Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Palisade431 acres
7.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Round Lake?
Round Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Tamarack. It covers 554 acres and reaches 27 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Round Lake?
Round Lake covers 554 acres with about 3.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 27 feet.
What fish can you catch at Round 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 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 15, from 16 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 20, 2012 and the latest is May 11, 2013.