---
type: lake
name: "Ray Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Nisswa"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 143
max_depth_ft: 27
latitude: 46.52217
longitude: -94.33136
lake_score: 54
dnr_lake_id: "11022000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ray-lake
---

# Ray Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Nisswa

- **Surface Area**: 143 acres
- **Max Depth**: 27 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 54/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Ray Lake is a 143-acre lake near Nisswa in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 27 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

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. Ice typically goes out around April 12, based on 10 years of DNR ice-out records.

## 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**: 17
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Northern Pike**: All from 30-40" must be immediately released. Possession limit two, only one over 40".

## 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, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 12
- **Years of record**: 10
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-12
- **Latest**: 2022-05-02

## Nearby Lakes

- [Roy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/roy-lake) - 0.6 miles, 320 acres
- [Upper Gull Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/upper-gull-lake) - 0.7 miles, 422 acres
- [Edna Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/edna-lake) - 1.2 miles, 156 acres
- [Nisswa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/nisswa-lake) - 1.6 miles, 219 acres
- [West Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/west-twin-lake) - 2.1 miles, 127 acres
- [Lower Cullen Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/lower-cullen-lake) - 2.2 miles, 560 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.52217,-94.33136)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11022000)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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