---
type: lake
name: "Whitefish Lake"
county: "Crow Wing"
nearest_town: "Cross Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 7714
max_depth_ft: 138
latitude: 46.69151
longitude: -94.21409
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "18031000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/whitefish-lake
---

# Whitefish Lake

Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Cross Lake

- **Surface Area**: 7,714 acres
- **Max Depth**: 138 ft
- **Shoreline**: 32.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 7 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 7 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: county, US Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 23
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Crappie, Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 25
- **Years of record**: 22
- **Earliest**: 2021-04-07
- **Latest**: 2013-05-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Arrowhead Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/arrowhead-lake) - 1.7 miles, 296 acres
- [Clamshell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/clamshell-lake) - 1.8 miles, 211 acres
- [Pig Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/pig-lake) - 1.8 miles, 196 acres
- [Grass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/grass-lake) - 2.5 miles, 45 acres
- [Kimball Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/kimball-lake) - 2.7 miles, 190 acres
- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/bass-lake-jenkins) - 2.7 miles, 121 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.69151,-94.21409)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=18031000)
- [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/whitefish-lake)*