Rachel Lake
About Rachel Lake
Rachel Lake is a 448-acre lake near Holmes City in Douglas County, Minnesota. It reaches 65 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 30 feet, and has roughly 6.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.7 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 northern pike, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 11, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Rachel Lake
- 448 acres, up to 65 feet deep, near Holmes City
- 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
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 7.7 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 448 acres
- Max depth
- 65 ft
- Average depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 221 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
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 14
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Northern Pike: All from 24-36" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36".
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 11
- Years of record
- 7
- Earliest
- March 18, 2012
- Latest
- May 11, 2013
- Most recent
- April 3, 2017
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Rachel Lake
Compare Rachel Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Rachel Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Pocket Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreDouglas · Holmes City263 acres
1.8 miles away
Blackwell Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreDouglas · Holmes City307 acres
1.9 miles away
Grants Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreDouglas · Holmes City177 acres
2.1 miles away
Freeborn Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreDouglas · Farwell248 acres
3 miles away
South Oscar Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreDouglas997 acres
3.2 miles away
Mill Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreDouglas · Alexandria451 acres
3.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rachel Lake?
Rachel Lake is in Douglas County, Minnesota, near Holmes City. It covers 448 acres and reaches 65 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Rachel Lake?
Rachel Lake covers 448 acres with about 6.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 65 feet and its average depth is about 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Rachel Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Rachel Lake?
Yes. Rachel Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Rachel Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Rachel 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 Rachel Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Rachel Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Rachel Lake?
Yes. All from 24-36" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36".
When does the ice go out on Rachel Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 11, from 7 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 18, 2012 and the latest is May 11, 2013.