Platte Lake
About Platte Lake
Platte Lake is a 1,663-acre lake near Sullivan in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 23 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 8 feet, and has roughly 13.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.6 feet.
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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 9, based on 18 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Platte Lake
- 1,663 acres, up to 23 feet deep, near Sullivan
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 4.6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,663 acres
- Max depth
- 23 ft
- Average depth
- 8 ft
- Shoreline
- 13.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,616 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
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Possession limit 10 combined total for both lakes.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 9
- Years of record
- 18
- Earliest
- March 12, 2024
- Latest
- May 8, 2013
- Most recent
- March 12, 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 Platte Lake
Compare Platte Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Platte Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Rock Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center203 acres
1.5 miles away
Long Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreMorrison · Sullivan126 acres
1.7 miles away
Sullivan Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreMorrison · Harding1,103 acres
2 miles away
Bulldog Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center149 acres
2.1 miles away
Round Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreMorrison · Harding130 acres
2.4 miles away
Erskine Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center182 acres
2.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Platte Lake?
Platte Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Sullivan. It covers 1,663 acres and reaches 23 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Platte Lake?
Platte Lake covers 1,663 acres with about 13.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 23 feet and its average depth is about 8 feet.
What fish can you catch at Platte Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Platte Lake?
Yes. Platte Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Platte Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Platte 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 Platte Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Platte Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Platte Lake?
Yes. Possession limit 10 combined total for both lakes.
When does the ice go out on Platte Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 9, from 18 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 12, 2024 and the latest is May 8, 2013.