---
type: lake
name: "Wilkins Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Palisade"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 349
max_depth_ft: 39
latitude: 46.63992
longitude: -93.49884
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "01010200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/wilkins-lake
---

# Wilkins Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Palisade

- **Surface Area**: 349 acres
- **Max Depth**: 39 ft
- **Average Depth**: 20 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Wilkins Lake is a 349-acre lake near Palisade in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 39 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 20 feet, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.1 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 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 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the township. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 24 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 17
- **Years of record**: 24
- **Earliest**: 2000-03-27
- **Latest**: 2013-05-12

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fleming Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/fleming-lake) - 0.7 miles, 319 acres
- [Jenkins Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/jenkins-lake) - 1.1 miles, 114 acres
- [Gun Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/gun-lake) - 1.3 miles, 712 acres
- [French Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/french-lake) - 2.5 miles, 149 acres
- [Turner Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/turner-lake) - 4.9 miles, 63 acres
- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/portage-lake) - 5.3 miles, 372 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.63992,-93.49884)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01010200)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

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