---
type: lake
name: "McFarland Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Hovland"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 386
max_depth_ft: 49
latitude: 48.05366
longitude: -90.0784
lake_score: 76
dnr_lake_id: "16002700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/mcfarland-lake
---

# McFarland Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland

- **Surface Area**: 386 acres
- **Max Depth**: 49 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 15.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 76/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

McFarland Lake is a 386-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 49 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.7 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, burbot, and lake whitefish. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. OpenStreetMap shows McFarland Lake Swimming Beach on or beside the lake. McFarland Lake Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## 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**: 7
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

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

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground

### Beaches

- McFarland Lake Swimming Beach

### Campgrounds

- McFarland Lake Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Lake Whitefish, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

spiny waterflea. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [John Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/john-lake) - 1.3 miles, 191 acres
- [Stump Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/stump-lake) - 2.5 miles, 254 acres
- [East Pike Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/east-pike-lake) - 2.5 miles, 554 acres
- [North Fowl Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/north-fowl-lake) - 2.9 miles, 1,040 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/long-lake) - 3.1 miles, 148 acres
- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/moose-lake) - 3.2 miles, 1,026 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.05366,-90.0784)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16002700)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

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