Sugar Lake
About Sugar Lake
Sugar Lake is a 416-acre lake near Glen in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 45 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 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 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sugar Lake
- 416 acres, up to 45 feet deep, near Glen
- 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 11 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 416 acres
- Max depth
- 45 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 11 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 267 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
- 13
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- 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 16
- Years of record
- 8
- Earliest
- April 10, 2005
- Latest
- May 11, 2013
- Most recent
- April 11, 2015
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Sugar Lake
Compare Sugar Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Sugar Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Sugar Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Clear Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen574 acres
1.7 miles away
Swamp Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen272 acres
1.8 miles away
Rabbit Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen212 acres
4.4 miles away
Long Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen435 acres
5 miles away
Dam Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin598 acres
6.6 miles away
Section Twelve Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Rossburg170 acres
6.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sugar Lake?
Sugar Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Glen. It covers 416 acres and reaches 45 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sugar Lake?
Sugar Lake covers 416 acres with about 4.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 45 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sugar Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Sugar Lake?
Yes. Sugar Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Sugar Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Sugar 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 Sugar Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Sugar Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Sugar Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 8 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 10, 2005 and the latest is May 11, 2013.