---
type: lake
name: "Chester Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Hovland"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 52
max_depth_ft: 35
latitude: 47.98467
longitude: -90.08312
lake_score: 32
dnr_lake_id: "16003300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/chester-lake
---

# Chester Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland

- **Surface Area**: 52 acres
- **Max Depth**: 35 ft
- **Average Depth**: 14 ft
- **Shoreline**: 1.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 32/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 3
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: No

## Activities

Fishing, Paddling

## Amenities

Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Brown Trout, Rainbow Smelt, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Devilfish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/devilfish-lake) - 1.3 miles, 405 acres
- [Esther Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/esther-lake) - 1.3 miles, 78 acres
- [Otter Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/otter-lake) - 3.7 miles, 75 acres
- [Greenwood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/greenwood-lake) - 4.3 miles, 2,043 acres
- [Tom Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/tom-lake) - 4.4 miles, 404 acres
- [Stump Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/stump-lake) - 4.7 miles, 254 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.98467,-90.08312)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16003300)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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