Elbow Lake
About Elbow Lake
Elbow Lake is a 995-acre lake near Waubun in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 76 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 13.6 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 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth 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 (asphalt surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 21 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Elbow Lake
- 995 acres, up to 76 feet deep, near Waubun
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 11 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 995 acres
- Max depth
- 76 ft
- Shoreline
- 13.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 11 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 200 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 (asphalt)
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
- 17
- Game fish
- 10
- 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
- 21
- Earliest
- March 26, 2012
- Latest
- April 26, 2020
- Most recent
- April 18, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Elbow Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Pike Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Elbow Lake Village124 acres
0.8 miles away
Little Bemidji Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford293 acres
2.5 miles away
Many Point Lake
81 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford1,701 acres
3.3 miles away
Tulaby Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreMahnomen · Waubun832 acres
3.5 miles away
Juggler Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford428 acres
3.9 miles away
Pickerel Lake
70 out of 100 Lake ScoreClearwater · Lake Itasca143 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Elbow Lake?
Elbow Lake is in Becker County, Minnesota, near Waubun. It covers 995 acres and reaches 76 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Elbow Lake?
Elbow Lake covers 995 acres with about 13.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 76 feet.
What fish can you catch at Elbow Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth 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 Elbow Lake?
Yes. Elbow Lake has 1 public boat launch (asphalt), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Elbow Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Elbow 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 Elbow Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Elbow Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Elbow Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 21 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 26, 2012 and the latest is April 26, 2020.