---
type: lake
name: "Elbow Lake"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Waubun"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 995
max_depth_ft: 76
latitude: 47.12459
longitude: -95.54296
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "03015900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/elbow-lake
---

# Elbow Lake

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Waubun

- **Surface Area**: 995 acres
- **Max Depth**: 76 ft
- **Shoreline**: 13.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **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, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 21
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-26
- **Latest**: 2020-04-26

## Nearby Lakes

- [Pike Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/pike-lake) - 0.8 miles, 124 acres
- [Little Bemidji Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/little-bemidji-lake) - 2.5 miles, 293 acres
- [Many Point Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/many-point-lake) - 3.3 miles, 1,701 acres
- [Tulaby Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/mahnomen-county/tulaby-lake) - 3.5 miles, 832 acres
- [Juggler Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/juggler-lake) - 3.9 miles, 428 acres
- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/pickerel-lake) - 4.4 miles, 143 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.12459,-95.54296)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03015900)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

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