---
type: lake
name: "Lower Elk Lake"
county: "Grant"
nearest_town: "Hoffman"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 131
max_depth_ft: 13
latitude: 45.8573
longitude: -95.78427
lake_score: 47
dnr_lake_id: "26004600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/lower-elk-lake
---

# Lower Elk Lake

Lake in Grant County, Minnesota, near Hoffman

- **Surface Area**: 131 acres
- **Max Depth**: 13 ft
- **Average Depth**: 12 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 47/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lower Elk Lake is a 131-acre lake near Hoffman in Grant County, Minnesota. It reaches 13 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 12 feet, and has roughly 2.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 12
- **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, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Orangespotted Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Elk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/elk-lake) - 1.1 miles, 207 acres
- [Red Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/red-rock-lake) - 3.4 miles, 904 acres
- [Thompson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/thompson-lake) - 3.6 miles, 154 acres
- [Barrett Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/barrett-lake) - 6.4 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) - 8.8 miles, 997 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.8573,-95.78427)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=26004600)
- [All lakes in Grant County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county)

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