---
type: lake
name: "Perch Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Baxter"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 266
max_depth_ft: 40
latitude: 46.33931
longitude: -94.26676
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "18037100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/perch-lake
---

# Perch Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Baxter

- **Surface Area**: 266 acres
- **Max Depth**: 40 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 17 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Perch Lake is a 266-acre lake near Baxter in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 40 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. 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 14, based on 6 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**: 12
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **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, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 14
- **Years of record**: 6
- **Earliest**: 2020-04-09
- **Latest**: 2022-04-30

## Nearby Lakes

- [White Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/white-sand-lake) - 1.3 miles, 415 acres
- [Red Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/red-sand-lake) - 2.6 miles, 521 acres
- [Whipple Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/whipple-lake) - 2.6 miles, 301 acres
- [Hardy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/hardy-lake) - 4.2 miles, 105 acres
- [Wise Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/wise-lake) - 4.5 miles, 135 acres
- [Gilbert Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/gilbert-lake) - 4.7 miles, 357 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.33931,-94.26676)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18037100)
- [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/perch-lake)*