Whitefish Lake
About Whitefish Lake
Whitefish Lake is a 7,714-acre lake near Cross Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 138 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 32.2 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 143 Crow Wing County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 23 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. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 7 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the county, US Army Corps of Engineers, and 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 25, based on 22 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Whitefish Lake
- 7,714 acres, up to 138 feet deep, near Cross Lake
- 7 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the county, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 11.8 feet
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 7 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county, US Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 7,714 acres
- Max depth
- 138 ft
- Shoreline
- 32.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 11.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 2,713 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
- 7 public boat launches (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Power boating and big-water cruising
- Ice fishing
- Big water: wind builds dangerous waves quickly, so check the forecast and carry safety gear
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 23
- Game fish
- 12
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Crappie, Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 25
- Years of record
- 22
- Earliest
- April 7, 2021
- Latest
- May 14, 2013
- Most recent
- April 21, 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 Whitefish Lake
Compare Whitefish Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Whitefish Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Whitefish Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Whitefish Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Whitefish Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Arrowhead Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Manhattan Beach296 acres
1.7 miles away
Clamshell Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Jenkins211 acres
1.8 miles away
Pig Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Cross Lake196 acres
1.8 miles away
Grass Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Breezy Point45 acres
2.5 miles away
Kimball Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Jenkins190 acres
2.7 miles away
Bass Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Jenkins121 acres
2.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Cross Lake. It covers 7,714 acres and reaches 138 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake covers 7,714 acres with about 32.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 138 feet.
What fish can you catch at Whitefish Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Whitefish Lake?
Yes. Whitefish Lake has 7 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the county, US Army Corps of Engineers, and Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Whitefish Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Whitefish 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 Whitefish Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Whitefish Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Whitefish Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five.
When does the ice go out on Whitefish Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 25, from 22 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 7, 2021 and the latest is May 14, 2013.
Does Whitefish Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Whitefish Lake as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.