---
type: lake
name: "Bad Medicine Lake"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Ponsford"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 803
max_depth_ft: 84
latitude: 47.12406
longitude: -95.39747
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "03008500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/bad-medicine-lake
---

# Bad Medicine Lake

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Ponsford

- **Surface Area**: 803 acres
- **Max Depth**: 84 ft
- **Shoreline**: 12.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 21.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Bad Medicine Lake is an 803-acre lake near Ponsford in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 84 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 21.1 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

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. Special fishing regulations apply to stream trout, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.

There is one public boat launch (asphalt surface). Ice typically goes out around April 22, based on 53 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **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

- **Stream Trout**: Winter fishing for stream trout is not allowed.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 22
- **Years of record**: 53
- **Earliest**: 2021-04-06
- **Latest**: 1979-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/bass-lake) - 1.5 miles, 204 acres
- [Juggler Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/juggler-lake) - 2.9 miles, 428 acres
- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/pickerel-lake) - 3.5 miles, 143 acres
- [Long Lost Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/long-lost-lake) - 4.9 miles, 539 acres
- [Pike Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/pike-lake) - 6.1 miles, 124 acres
- [Elbow Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/elbow-lake) - 6.8 miles, 995 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.12406,-95.39747)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03008500)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/bad-medicine-lake)*