Nokay Lake
About Nokay Lake
Nokay Lake is a 704-acre lake near Brainerd in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2020.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Nokay Lake
- 704 acres, up to 42 feet deep, near Brainerd
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 13 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 704 acres
- Max depth
- 42 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 13 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 218 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
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2020
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 16
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- March 14, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 2023
- Most recent
- April 16, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Nokay Lake
Compare Nokay Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Nokay Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Pointon Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Ironton185 acres
1.1 miles away
Loon Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Crosby60 acres
2.6 miles away
Clearwater Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)905 acres
2.6 miles away
Portage Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison287 acres
2.9 miles away
Grave Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Brainerd169 acres
2.9 miles away
Crooked Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison463 acres
3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nokay Lake?
Nokay Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Brainerd. It covers 704 acres and reaches 42 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Nokay Lake?
Nokay Lake covers 704 acres with about 6.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 42 feet.
What fish can you catch at Nokay Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Nokay Lake?
Yes. Nokay Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Nokay Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Nokay 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 Nokay Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Nokay Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Nokay Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 14, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 2023.