Lura Lake
About Lura Lake
Lura Lake is a 1,359-acre lake near Mapleton in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. It reaches 9 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 5 feet, and has roughly 13.9 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 10 Blue Earth County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.8 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. 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 2023.
There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. 5 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around March 30, based on 46 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lura Lake
- 1,359 acres, up to 9 feet deep, near Mapleton
- 3 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 1.8 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,359 acres
- Max depth
- 9 ft
- Average depth
- 5 ft
- Shoreline
- 13.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 1.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,359 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
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping (5 mapped)
- Fishing pier
- Picnic area
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Shore fishing from a pier
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 13
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- Yes
- 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
- March 30
- Years of record
- 46
- Earliest
- March 6, 2000
- Latest
- April 24, 1985
- Most recent
- March 21, 2017
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
5 campgrounds are mapped on or near Lura 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 Lura Lake
Compare Lura Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Lura Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Lura Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Lura Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Lura Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Lura Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Bass Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreFaribault · Delavan199 acres
4.3 miles away
Lake Ida
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Amboy138 acres
6.6 miles away
Mills Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Lake Crystal237 acres
16.2 miles away
Loon Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Lake Crystal809 acres
17.7 miles away
Lake Crystal
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Lake Crystal379 acres
18.9 miles away
Rice Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreFaribault · Wells266 acres
21.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lura Lake?
Lura Lake is in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, near Mapleton. It covers 1,359 acres and reaches 9 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lura Lake?
Lura Lake covers 1,359 acres with about 13.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 9 feet and its average depth is about 5 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lura Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Channel Catfish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lura Lake?
Yes. Lura Lake has 3 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lura Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lura 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 Lura Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lura Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Lura Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 30, from 46 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 6, 2000 and the latest is April 24, 1985.
Can you camp at Lura Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Lura Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Lura Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.