Baby Lake
About Baby Lake
Baby Lake is a 737-acre lake near Hackensack in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 69 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 31 feet, and has roughly 11.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.4 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. 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 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 26 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Baby Lake
- 737 acres, up to 69 feet deep, near Hackensack
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie
- Average water clarity around 13.4 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 737 acres
- Max depth
- 69 ft
- Average depth
- 31 ft
- Shoreline
- 11.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 13.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 248 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)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 16
- Game fish
- 11
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- 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
- 26
- Earliest
- April 7, 2000
- Latest
- May 6, 2008
- Most recent
- May 4, 2018
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Baby Lake
Compare Baby Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Baby Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Baby Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Baby Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Kid Lake
14 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack168 acres
1.2 miles away
Man Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack491 acres
1.2 miles away
Child Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Longville285 acres
1.6 miles away
McKeown Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Longville168 acres
1.6 miles away
Moccasin Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack272 acres
2 miles away
Barnum Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack151 acres
2.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Baby Lake?
Baby Lake is in Cass County, Minnesota, near Hackensack. It covers 737 acres and reaches 69 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Baby Lake?
Baby Lake covers 737 acres with about 11.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 69 feet and its average depth is about 31 feet.
What fish can you catch at Baby Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth 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 Baby Lake?
Yes. Baby Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Baby Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Baby 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 Baby Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Baby Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Baby Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 20, from 26 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 7, 2000 and the latest is May 6, 2008.