---
type: lake
name: "Birch Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Hackensack"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1267
max_depth_ft: 45
latitude: 46.93685
longitude: -94.54875
lake_score: 73
dnr_lake_id: "11041200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/birch-lake
---

# Birch Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Hackensack

- **Surface Area**: 1,267 acres
- **Max Depth**: 45 ft
- **Average Depth**: 10 ft
- **Shoreline**: 15.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 73/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Birch Lake is a 1,267-acre lake near Hackensack in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 45 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 15.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.9 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 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 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 7 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**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 17
- **Years of record**: 7
- **Earliest**: 2017-04-08
- **Latest**: 2008-05-02

## Nearby Lakes

- [Poquet Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/poquet-lake) - 2.5 miles, 145 acres
- [Ten Mile Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ten-mile-lake) - 2.6 miles, 5,080 acres
- [Jackpine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/jackpine-lake) - 3.2 miles, 160 acres
- [Stony Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/stony-lake) - 3.5 miles, 563 acres
- [Pleasant Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/pleasant-lake) - 3.8 miles, 1,099 acres
- [Variety Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/variety-lake) - 4.2 miles, 160 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.93685,-94.54875)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11041200)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/birch-lake)*