---
type: lake
name: "Lower Mission Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Merrifield"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 732
max_depth_ft: 27
latitude: 46.53101
longitude: -94.09733
lake_score: 58
dnr_lake_id: "18024300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/lower-mission-lake
---

# Lower Mission Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Merrifield

- **Surface Area**: 732 acres
- **Max Depth**: 27 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 58/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lower Mission Lake is a 732-acre lake near Merrifield in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 27 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike, crappie, and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 67 years of DNR ice-out records.

## 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**: 15
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Northern Pike**: All from 24-36" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36".
- **Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 67
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-21
- **Latest**: 2013-05-10

## Nearby Lakes

- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/bass-lake-merrifield) - 1.9 miles, 285 acres
- [Upper Mission Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/upper-mission-lake) - 1.9 miles, 882 acres
- [Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/silver-lake) - 2.1 miles, 208 acres
- [Miller Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/miller-lake-trommald) - 2.2 miles, 105 acres
- [Black Bear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/black-bear-lake) - 2.4 miles, 218 acres
- [Lougee Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/lougee-lake) - 2.6 miles, 212 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.53101,-94.09733)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18024300)
- [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/lower-mission-lake)*