Barnum Lake
About Barnum Lake
Barnum Lake is a 151-acre lake near Hackensack in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.5 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2001.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 31 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Barnum Lake
- 151 acres, up to 30 feet deep, near Hackensack
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 151 acres
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.5 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 84 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2001
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 17
- Years of record
- 31
- Earliest
- March 24, 2012
- Latest
- May 8, 2013
- Most recent
- April 18, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Barnum Lake
Compare Barnum Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Man Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack491 acres
0.9 miles away
McKeown Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Longville168 acres
1.3 miles away
Moccasin Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack272 acres
2 miles away
Baby Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack737 acres
2.1 miles away
Woman Lake
72 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Longville5,520 acres
2.4 miles away
Child Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Longville285 acres
2.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Barnum Lake?
Barnum Lake is in Cass County, Minnesota, near Hackensack. It covers 151 acres and reaches 30 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Barnum Lake?
Barnum Lake covers 151 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Barnum Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Barnum Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Barnum Lake.
Can you swim at Barnum Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Barnum 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 Barnum Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Barnum Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Barnum Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 17, from 31 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 24, 2012 and the latest is May 8, 2013.