---
type: lake
name: "Leech Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Walker"
lake_type: "reservoir"
acres: 103444
max_depth_ft: 150
latitude: 47.17574
longitude: -94.44118
lake_score: 92
dnr_lake_id: "11020300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/leech-lake
---

# Leech Lake

Reservoir in Cass County, Minnesota, near Walker

- **Surface Area**: 103,444 acres
- **Max Depth**: 150 ft
- **Average Depth**: 19 ft
- **Shoreline**: 194.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: reservoir
- **Public Access**: 10 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 92/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Leech Lake is a 103,444-acre reservoir near Walker in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 150 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 19 feet, and has roughly 194.9 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Cass County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 20 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. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie, sunfish, walleye, and cisco, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 10 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service, Minnesota DNR, US Army Corps of Engineers, and city. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Stony Point Campground and Trails RV are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort, and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 223 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 10 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service, Minnesota DNR, US Army Corps of Engineers, city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 20
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.
- **Walleye**: Possession limit four, only one over 20" allowed in possession.
- **Cisco**: Possession limit 50.
- **Whitefish**: Possession limit 25.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area, Marina

### Campgrounds

- Stony Point Campground
- Trails RV
- Leech Lake Recreation Area

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 27
- **Years of record**: 223
- **Earliest**: 2012-04-02
- **Latest**: 1950-05-23

## Nearby Lakes

- [Crooked Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/crooked-lake) - 7.5 miles, 582 acres
- [Jack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/jack-lake) - 7.9 miles, 142 acres
- [Welch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/welch-lake) - 7.9 miles, 196 acres
- [May Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/may-lake) - 9.3 miles, 143 acres
- [Thirteen Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/thirteen-lake) - 9.5 miles, 555 acres
- [Swamp Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/swamp-lake) - 9.9 miles, 600 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.17574,-94.44118)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11020300)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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