Round Lake
About Round Lake
Round Lake is a 1,094-acre lake near Ponsford in Becker County, Minnesota. It reaches 69 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.5 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 18 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 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 21, based on 16 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Round Lake
- 1,094 acres, up to 69 feet deep, near Ponsford
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 12.1 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,094 acres
- Max depth
- 69 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 473 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 (concrete)
- Camping (4 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 18
- Game fish
- 11
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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 21
- Years of record
- 16
- Earliest
- April 10, 1998
- Latest
- May 6, 2022
- Most recent
- April 22, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Round Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Round Lake
Compare Round Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Round Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Ice Cracking Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford345 acres
1.9 miles away
Waboose Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford232 acres
2.1 miles away
Many Point Lake
81 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford1,701 acres
2.8 miles away
Little Bemidji Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Ponsford293 acres
4.1 miles away
Winter Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Richwood117 acres
5 miles away
Elbow Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreBecker · Waubun995 acres
6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Round Lake?
Round Lake is in Becker County, Minnesota, near Ponsford. It covers 1,094 acres and reaches 69 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Round Lake?
Round Lake covers 1,094 acres with about 5.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 69 feet.
What fish can you catch at Round Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Lake Sturgeon and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Round Lake?
Yes. Round Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Round Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Round 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 Round Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Round Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Round Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 21, from 16 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 10, 1998 and the latest is May 6, 2022.
Can you camp at Round Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.