---
type: lake
name: "Ruth Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Emily"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 599
max_depth_ft: 39
latitude: 46.74921
longitude: -93.95277
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "18021200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/ruth-lake
---

# Ruth Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Emily

- **Surface Area**: 599 acres
- **Max Depth**: 39 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 22.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Ruth Lake is a 599-acre lake near Emily in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 39 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 22.8 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 2022.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 26, based on 5 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**: 2022
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 26
- **Years of record**: 5
- **Earliest**: 2015-04-12
- **Latest**: 2013-05-13

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Emily](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/lake-emily) - 1.7 miles, 721 acres
- [Lake Mary](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/lake-mary) - 1.8 miles, 413 acres
- [Anna Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/anna-lake) - 2 miles, 112 acres
- [Trout Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/trout-lake) - 2.1 miles, 117 acres
- [Blue Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/blue-lake) - 2.6 miles, 177 acres
- [Butterfield Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/butterfield-lake) - 3.3 miles, 194 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.74921,-93.95277)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18021200)
- [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/ruth-lake)*