Cole Lake
About Cole Lake
Cole Lake is a 142-acre lake near Wright in Carlton County, Minnesota. It reaches 24 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 11 feet, and has roughly 2.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.7 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 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. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 31 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Cole Lake
- 142 acres, up to 24 feet deep, near Wright
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 6.7 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 142 acres
- Max depth
- 24 ft
- Average depth
- 11 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 107 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 (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 11
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2016
- 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 18
- Years of record
- 31
- Earliest
- March 29, 2000
- Latest
- May 2, 1996
- Most recent
- April 10, 2015
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Cole Lake
Compare Cole Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Cole Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Cole Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Cole Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Cole Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Tamarack Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Wright235 acres
2.4 miles away
Eagle Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Cromwell389 acres
5.9 miles away
Round Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Tamarack554 acres
7.6 miles away
Lower (South) Island Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Cromwell320 acres
7.8 miles away
Upper (North) Island Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Cromwell114 acres
8 miles away
Cross Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Cromwell107 acres
8.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cole Lake?
Cole Lake is in Carlton County, Minnesota, near Wright. It covers 142 acres and reaches 24 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Cole Lake?
Cole Lake covers 142 acres with about 2.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 24 feet and its average depth is about 11 feet.
What fish can you catch at Cole Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Cole Lake?
Yes. Cole Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Cole Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Cole 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 Cole Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Cole Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Cole Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 18, from 31 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 29, 2000 and the latest is May 2, 1996.