---
type: lake
name: "Gilbert Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Brainerd"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 357
max_depth_ft: 45
latitude: 46.3841
longitude: -94.19197
lake_score: 61
dnr_lake_id: "18032000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/gilbert-lake
---

# Gilbert Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Brainerd

- **Surface Area**: 357 acres
- **Max Depth**: 45 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 14.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 61/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Gilbert Lake is a 357-acre lake near Brainerd in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 45 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.5 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. Special fishing regulations apply to black and white crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 48 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 12
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Black and White Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 17
- **Years of record**: 48
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-11
- **Latest**: 2013-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/rice-lake) - 1.6 miles, 418 acres
- [Wise Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/wise-lake) - 3.4 miles, 135 acres
- [North Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/north-long-lake) - 4.5 miles, 6,190 acres
- [Red Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/red-sand-lake) - 4.7 miles, 521 acres
- [Perch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/perch-lake) - 4.7 miles, 266 acres
- [White Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/white-sand-lake) - 5.1 miles, 415 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.3841,-94.19197)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18032000)
- [All lakes in Crow Wing County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/gilbert-lake)*