Shirt Lake
About Shirt Lake
Shirt Lake is a 231-acre lake near Deerwood (Crow Wing) in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 38 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the township. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 19 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Shirt Lake
- 231 acres, up to 38 feet deep, near Deerwood (Crow Wing)
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 15.5 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 231 acres
- Max depth
- 38 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 163 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 (gravel or earth)
Best For
- 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- 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
- 19
- Earliest
- March 24, 2000
- Latest
- May 3, 2022
- Most recent
- May 1, 2023
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Shirt Lake
Compare Shirt Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Sunset Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin221 acres
1 miles away
Townline Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin114 acres
1.8 miles away
Hamlet Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)307 acres
1.9 miles away
Long / Tame Fish Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Deerwood (Crow Wing)127 acres
1.9 miles away
Thornton Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Deerwood (Crow Wing)161 acres
2.2 miles away
Placid Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Bay Lake183 acres
2.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shirt Lake?
Shirt Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Deerwood (Crow Wing). It covers 231 acres and reaches 38 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Shirt Lake?
Shirt Lake covers 231 acres with about 5.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 38 feet.
What fish can you catch at Shirt Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Shirt Lake?
Yes. Shirt Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Shirt Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Shirt 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 Shirt Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Shirt Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Shirt Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 19 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 24, 2000 and the latest is May 3, 2022.