Whitefish Lake
About Whitefish Lake
Whitefish Lake is a 709-acre lake near Garrison in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 62 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 14 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Whitefish Lake
- 709 acres, up to 62 feet deep, near Garrison
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 11 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 709 acres
- Max depth
- 62 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 11 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 428 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
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
- 17
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
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
- 14
- Earliest
- March 22, 2012
- Latest
- May 10, 2013
- Most recent
- March 30, 2021
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.
Nearby Lakes
Camp Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center534 acres
3.4 miles away
Erskine Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center182 acres
3.7 miles away
Holt Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison164 acres
3.7 miles away
Bulldog Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center149 acres
3.8 miles away
Rock Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center203 acres
4.3 miles away
Smith Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Garrison491 acres
4.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Garrison. It covers 709 acres and reaches 62 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Whitefish Lake?
Whitefish Lake covers 709 acres with about 7.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 62 feet.
What fish can you catch at Whitefish Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Whitefish Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Whitefish Lake.
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?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Whitefish Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Whitefish Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 14 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 22, 2012 and the latest is May 10, 2013.