---
type: lake
name: "Elk Lake"
county: "Grant"
nearest_town: "Hoffman"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 207
max_depth_ft: 29
latitude: 45.86673
longitude: -95.8038
lake_score: 53
dnr_lake_id: "26004000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/elk-lake
---

# Elk Lake

Lake in Grant County, Minnesota, near Hoffman

- **Surface Area**: 207 acres
- **Max Depth**: 29 ft
- **Average Depth**: 15 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 53/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Elk Lake is a 207-acre lake near Hoffman in Grant County, Minnesota. It reaches 29 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 15 feet, and has roughly 3.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.8 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. 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 2021.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. 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 8, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, 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 8
- **Years of record**: 8
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-17
- **Latest**: 2008-04-24

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lower Elk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/lower-elk-lake) - 1.1 miles, 131 acres
- [Thompson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/thompson-lake) - 2.7 miles, 154 acres
- [Red Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/red-rock-lake) - 4.4 miles, 904 acres
- [Barrett Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/barrett-lake) - 5.3 miles, 530 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/long-lake) - 8.4 miles, 202 acres
- [South Oscar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/south-oscar-lake) - 9.9 miles, 997 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.86673,-95.8038)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=26004000)
- [All lakes in Grant County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county)

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