---
type: lake
name: "Lake Ida"
county: "Douglas"
nearest_town: "Leaf Valley"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 4445
max_depth_ft: 106
latitude: 45.98818
longitude: -95.42178
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "21012300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-ida
---

# Lake Ida

Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota, near Leaf Valley

- **Surface Area**: 4,445 acres
- **Max Depth**: 106 ft
- **Average Depth**: 28 ft
- **Shoreline**: 22.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Ida is a 4,445-acre lake near Leaf Valley in Douglas County, Minnesota. It reaches 106 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 28 feet, and has roughly 22.6 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 53 Douglas County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.9 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. 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 16, based on 48 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, township
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 19
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 48
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-24
- **Latest**: 2008-05-03

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Carlos](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-carlos) - 3.5 miles, 2,605 acres
- [Indian Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/indian-lake) - 3.7 miles, 99 acres
- [Lake Louise](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-louise) - 4.1 miles, 214 acres
- [Lake Miltona](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-miltona) - 4.2 miles, 5,731 acres
- [Lake Darling](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-darling) - 4.9 miles, 1,050 acres
- [North Union Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/north-union-lake) - 4.9 miles, 118 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.98818,-95.42178)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=21012300)
- [All lakes in Douglas County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-ida)*