Borden Lake
About Borden Lake
Borden Lake is a 1,011-acre lake near Garrison in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 84 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 22 feet, and has roughly 12.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Special fishing regulations apply to 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. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 30 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Borden Lake
- 1,011 acres, up to 84 feet deep, near Garrison
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 11.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,011 acres
- Max depth
- 84 ft
- Average depth
- 22 ft
- Shoreline
- 12.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 11.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 304 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
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 16
- Game fish
- 11
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Crappie, Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 18
- Years of record
- 30
- Earliest
- March 14, 2024
- Latest
- May 4, 2018
- Most recent
- March 14, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Borden Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Miller Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison132 acres
1.5 miles away
Kenney Lake
14 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison109 acres
1.7 miles away
Scott Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison157 acres
2.1 miles away
Smith Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison491 acres
2.8 miles away
Holt Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison164 acres
3.4 miles away
Round Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Garrison737 acres
3.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Borden Lake?
Borden Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Garrison. It covers 1,011 acres and reaches 84 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Borden Lake?
Borden Lake covers 1,011 acres with about 12.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 84 feet and its average depth is about 22 feet.
What fish can you catch at Borden Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Borden Lake?
Yes. Borden Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Borden Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Borden 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 Borden Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Borden Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Are there special fishing regulations on Borden Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five.
When does the ice go out on Borden Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 18, from 30 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 14, 2024 and the latest is May 4, 2018.