---
type: lake
name: "Hand Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Backus"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 289
max_depth_ft: 57
latitude: 46.85367
longitude: -94.3122
lake_score: 61
dnr_lake_id: "11024200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/hand-lake
---

# Hand Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus

- **Surface Area**: 289 acres
- **Max Depth**: 57 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 61/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Hand Lake is a 289-acre lake near Backus in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 57 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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 2022.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Ponto Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ponto-lake) - 1.8 miles, 388 acres
- [Hay Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/hay-lake) - 1.8 miles, 364 acres
- [Ada Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ada-lake) - 2.3 miles, 963 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/island-lake-longville) - 2.7 miles, 184 acres
- [Sylvan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sylvan-lake-backus) - 3.1 miles, 113 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/long-lake-hackensack) - 3.1 miles, 246 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.85367,-94.3122)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11024200)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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