---
type: lake
name: "Lake Pepin"
county: "Goodhue"
nearest_town: "Lake City"
lake_type: "river lake"
acres: 12299
max_depth_ft: 60
latitude: 44.49838
longitude: -92.28023
lake_score: 76
dnr_lake_id: "25000100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/goodhue-county/lake-pepin
---

# Lake Pepin

River lake in Goodhue County, Minnesota, near Lake City

- **Surface Area**: 12,299 acres
- **Max Depth**: 60 ft
- **Average Depth**: 21 ft
- **Shoreline**: 54.9 miles
- **Lake Type**: river lake
- **Public Access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 76/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Wisconsin

## About

Lake Pepin is a 12,299-acre river lake near Lake City in Goodhue County, Minnesota. It reaches 60 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 21 feet, and has roughly 54.9 miles of shoreline. The lake is a border water shared with Wisconsin, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 43 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

There are 4 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city and township. OpenStreetMap shows Florence Township Beach on or beside the lake. Frontenac State Park Cart-in and G4 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, bighead carp, silver carp, and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around March 29, based on 110 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city, township
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 43
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: No

## Activities

Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area, Marina

### Beaches

- Florence Township Beach

### Campgrounds

- Frontenac State Park Cart-in
- G4
- G5
- G3

## Fish Species

Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Lake Sturgeon, Burbot, White Bass, Rock Bass, American Eel, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Gizzard Shad, Golden Redhorse, Goldeye, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Highfin Carpsucker, Hybrid Sunfish, Longnose Gar, Mooneye, Northern Hog Sucker, Quillback, River Carpsucker, River Redhorse, Shorthead Redhorse, Shortnose Gar, Shovelnose Sturgeon, Silver Redhorse, Smallmouth Buffalo, Spotted Sucker, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, bighead carp, silver carp, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 29
- **Years of record**: 110
- **Earliest**: 2000-02-29
- **Latest**: 1843-05-20

## Nearby Lakes

- [Goose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/goodhue-county/goose-lake) - 20.1 miles, 220 acres
- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/goodhue-county/clear-lake) - 23.6 miles, 226 acres
- [Lake Zumbro](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/lake-zumbro) - 24.2 miles, 715 acres
- [Shady Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/shady-lake) - 26.7 miles, 144 acres
- [Silver Creek Reservoir](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/silver-creek-reservoir) - 31.8 miles, 107 acres
- [Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/olmsted-county/silver-lake) - 33.4 miles, 50 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.49838,-92.28023)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=25000100)
- [All lakes in Goodhue County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/goodhue-county)

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