Chester Lake
About Chester Lake
Chester Lake is a 52-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 35 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 14 feet, and has roughly 1.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including brown trout. 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 2024.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Chester Lake
- 52 acres, up to 35 feet deep, near Hovland
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: brown trout
- Average water clarity around 9.6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 52 acres
- Max depth
- 35 ft
- Average depth
- 14 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 29 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
Best For
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 3
- Game fish
- 1
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- No
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Chester Lake
Compare Chester Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Devilfish Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland405 acres
1.3 miles away
Esther Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland78 acres
1.3 miles away
Otter Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland75 acres
3.7 miles away
Greenwood Lake
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais2,043 acres
4.3 miles away
Tom Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland404 acres
4.4 miles away
Stump Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland254 acres
4.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chester Lake?
Chester Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland. It covers 52 acres and reaches 35 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Chester Lake?
Chester Lake covers 52 acres with about 1.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 35 feet and its average depth is about 14 feet.
What fish can you catch at Chester Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Brown Trout. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Chester Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Chester Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Chester Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Chester Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Chester Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.