---
type: lake
name: "Washburn Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Outing"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1590
max_depth_ft: 111
latitude: 46.87015
longitude: -93.98783
lake_score: 83
dnr_lake_id: "11005900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/washburn-lake
---

# Washburn Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Outing

- **Surface Area**: 1,590 acres
- **Max Depth**: 111 ft
- **Shoreline**: 19.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 13.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 83/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Washburn Lake is a 1,590-acre lake near Outing in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 111 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 19.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.2 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 20 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Voyager Bay Scout Camp and Lower Road Campsite are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 34 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**: 20
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

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

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground

### Campgrounds

- Voyager Bay Scout Camp
- Lower Road Campsite
- Upper Road Campsite
- New Campsite

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 19
- **Years of record**: 34
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-16
- **Latest**: 2008-05-06

## Nearby Lakes

- [George Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/george-lake) - 2 miles, 612 acres
- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/bass-lake-outing) - 3 miles, 195 acres
- [Roosevelt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/roosevelt-lake) - 3.8 miles, 1,511 acres
- [Lawrence Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/lawrence-lake) - 4.5 miles, 225 acres
- [Leavitt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/leavitt-lake) - 4.6 miles, 122 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/island-lake) - 4.7 miles, 358 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.87015,-93.98783)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11005900)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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