Stark Lake
About Stark Lake
Stark Lake is a 217-acre lake near Pine Knoll in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 66 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 feet.
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 2016.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 10, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Stark Lake
- 217 acres, up to 66 feet deep, near Pine Knoll
- 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 8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 217 acres
- Max depth
- 66 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 114 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
- 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
- 2016
- 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 10
- Years of record
- 17
- Earliest
- March 14, 2024
- Latest
- May 2, 2022
- Most recent
- April 12, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Stark Lake
Compare Stark Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Stark Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Stark Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Stark Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Stark Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Twin Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Little Pine79 acres
1 miles away
Ross Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Little Pine492 acres
1.8 miles away
Nelson Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Knoll319 acres
2.3 miles away
Blind Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Pine Knoll304 acres
3.2 miles away
Upper Dean Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Emily259 acres
3.3 miles away
Rogers Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Emily240 acres
4.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Stark Lake?
Stark Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Pine Knoll. It covers 217 acres and reaches 66 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Stark Lake?
Stark Lake covers 217 acres with about 3.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 66 feet.
What fish can you catch at Stark 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 Stark Lake?
Yes. Stark Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Stark Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Stark 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 Stark Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Stark Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Stark Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 10, from 17 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 14, 2024 and the latest is May 2, 2022.