---
type: lake
name: "Lake Melissa"
county: "Becker"
nearest_town: "Detroit Lakes"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1850
max_depth_ft: 37
latitude: 46.74343
longitude: -95.899
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "03047500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/lake-melissa
---

# Lake Melissa

Lake in Becker County, Minnesota, near Detroit Lakes

- **Surface Area**: 1,850 acres
- **Max Depth**: 37 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Melissa is a 1,850-acre lake near Detroit Lakes in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.5 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 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. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. The lake is listed as infested with flowering rush and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, township
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Northern Pike**: All from 24-36" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36".

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, 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

## Invasive Species

flowering rush, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 8
- **Earliest**: 2015-04-12
- **Latest**: 2013-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [Mill Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/mill-lake) - 1.3 miles, 155 acres
- [Meadow Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/meadow-lake) - 1.5 miles, 71 acres
- [Lake Sallie](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/lake-sallie) - 2 miles, 1,280 acres
- [Sauer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/sauer-lake) - 2 miles, 193 acres
- [Fox Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/fox-lake) - 2.6 miles, 143 acres
- [Johnson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/johnson-lake) - 2.9 miles, 183 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.74343,-95.899)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=03047500)
- [All lakes in Becker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county)

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