Park Lake
About Park Lake
Park Lake is a 381-acre lake near Mahtowa in Carlton County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 5 feet, and has roughly 3.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.3 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 18 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Park Lake
- 381 acres, up to 16 feet deep, near Mahtowa
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 9.3 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 381 acres
- Max depth
- 16 ft
- Average depth
- 5 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 376 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
- 13
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- 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 20
- Years of record
- 18
- Earliest
- March 16, 2024
- Latest
- May 12, 2005
- Most recent
- April 22, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Park Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Bob Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Sawyer77 acres
2.1 miles away
Torch Light Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Sawyer126 acres
2.7 miles away
Big Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Sawyer526 acres
5.8 miles away
Sand Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Barnum128 acres
7.4 miles away
Bear Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Barnum100 acres
8.4 miles away
Hay Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCarlton · Wrenshall140 acres
9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Park Lake?
Park Lake is in Carlton County, Minnesota, near Mahtowa. It covers 381 acres and reaches 16 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Park Lake?
Park Lake covers 381 acres with about 3.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 16 feet and its average depth is about 5 feet.
What fish can you catch at Park Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Park Lake?
Yes. Park Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Park Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Park 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 Park Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Park Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Park Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 20, from 18 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 16, 2024 and the latest is May 12, 2005.