String Lake
About String Lake
String Lake is a 336-acre lake near Wilder in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. It reaches 4 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 8 Cottonwood County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 0.1 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, black crappie, yellow perch, and channel catfish. 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 2023.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in.
Plan Your Visit to String Lake
- 336 acres, up to 4 feet deep, near Wilder
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, black crappie, yellow perch, and channel catfish
- Average water clarity around 0.1 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 336 acres
- Max depth
- 4 ft
- Shoreline
- 7 mi
- Water clarity
- 0.1 ft
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
Facilities
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
Best For
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 11
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- 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 String Lake
Compare String Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Timber Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreJackson · Windom191 acres
3.3 miles away
Cottonwood Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreCottonwood · Windom155 acres
5.1 miles away
Fish Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreJackson · Windom297 acres
7.8 miles away
Flahtery Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreJackson · Lakefield457 acres
8.3 miles away
Bingham Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreCottonwood · Bingham Lake270 acres
8.5 miles away
Heron Lake (South Heron)
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreJackson · Lakefield2,641 acres
10.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is String Lake?
String Lake is in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, near Wilder. It covers 336 acres and reaches 4 feet deep.
How big and how deep is String Lake?
String Lake covers 336 acres with about 7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 4 feet.
What fish can you catch at String Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Channel Catfish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on String Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at String Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at String 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 String Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for String Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.