---
type: lake
name: "Lake Itasca"
county: "Clearwater"
nearest_town: "Lake Itasca"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1065
max_depth_ft: 40
latitude: 47.21641
longitude: -95.20023
lake_score: 75
dnr_lake_id: "15001600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/lake-itasca
---

# Lake Itasca

Lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota, near Lake Itasca

- **Surface Area**: 1,065 acres
- **Max Depth**: 40 ft
- **Average Depth**: 17 ft
- **Shoreline**: 14.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 75/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Itasca is a 1,065-acre lake near Lake Itasca in Clearwater County, Minnesota. It reaches 40 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 17 feet, and has roughly 14.3 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 23 Clearwater County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.9 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth 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. Special fishing regulations apply to black and white crappie and sunfish, 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. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Pine Ridge Campground and Bear Paw Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 22, based on 171 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Permit or fee required

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Black and White Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

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

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area

### Campgrounds

- Pine Ridge Campground
- Bear Paw Campground

## Fish Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 22
- **Years of record**: 171
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-26
- **Latest**: 1950-05-18

## Nearby Lakes

- [Elk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/elk-lake) - 2.1 miles, 303 acres
- [Lake Mary](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/lake-mary) - 2.6 miles, 56 acres
- [Ozawindib Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/ozawindib-lake) - 3.5 miles, 159 acres
- [Hernando DeSoto Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/becker-county/hernando-desoto-lake) - 5 miles, 171 acres
- [Beauty Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/beauty-lake) - 5.1 miles, 55 acres
- [Big LaSalle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county/big-lasalle-lake) - 5.5 miles, 235 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.21641,-95.20023)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=15001600)
- [All lakes in Clearwater County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/clearwater-county)

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