---
type: lake
name: "Sleepy Eye Lake"
county: "Brown"
nearest_town: "Sleepy Eye"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 241
max_depth_ft: 21
latitude: 44.30814
longitude: -94.72862
lake_score: 68
dnr_lake_id: "08004500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county/sleepy-eye-lake
---

# Sleepy Eye Lake

Lake in Brown County, Minnesota, near Sleepy Eye

- **Surface Area**: 241 acres
- **Max Depth**: 21 ft
- **Average Depth**: 7 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 68/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Sleepy Eye Lake is a 241-acre lake near Sleepy Eye in Brown County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 7 feet, and has roughly 4.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.7 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 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 2021.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. OpenStreetMap shows Swimming Beach on or beside the lake. Sleepy Eye Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around March 27, based on 15 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area

### Beaches

- Swimming Beach

### Campgrounds

- Sleepy Eye Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 27
- **Years of record**: 15
- **Earliest**: 2017-03-06
- **Latest**: 2013-04-18

## Nearby Lakes

- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county/clear-lake) - 10.8 miles, 252 acres
- [Lake Hanska](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county/lake-hanska) - 13 miles, 1,795 acres
- [Wood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/wood-lake) - 14.4 miles, 559 acres
- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sibley-county/clear-lake) - 14.7 miles, 505 acres
- [Wellner-Hageman Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county/wellner-hageman-reservoir) - 22.1 miles, 75 acres
- [Fedji Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/watonwan-county/fedji-lake) - 23.4 miles, 172 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.30814,-94.72862)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=08004500)
- [All lakes in Brown County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/brown-county/sleepy-eye-lake)*