---
type: lake
name: "Christmas Lake"
county: "Hennepin"
nearest_town: "Excelsior"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 267
max_depth_ft: 87
latitude: 44.89614
longitude: -93.54324
lake_score: 65
dnr_lake_id: "27013700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/christmas-lake
---

# Christmas Lake

Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, near Excelsior

- **Surface Area**: 267 acres
- **Max Depth**: 87 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 26 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 65/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Christmas Lake is a 267-acre lake near Excelsior in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It reaches 87 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 26 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

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. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 12, based on 132 years of DNR ice-out records.

## 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**: 14
- **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, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 12
- **Years of record**: 132
- **Earliest**: 2000-03-08
- **Latest**: 2018-05-03

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lotus Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/lotus-lake) - 1.5 miles, 245 acres
- [Lake Ann](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/lake-ann) - 1.9 miles, 116 acres
- [Lake Susan](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/lake-susan) - 3.1 miles, 88 acres
- [Lake Minnewashta](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/lake-minnewashta) - 3.3 miles, 680 acres
- [Lake Minnetonka](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/lake-minnetonka) - 3.4 miles, 14,206 acres
- [Mitchell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/mitchell-lake) - 3.6 miles, 114 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.89614,-93.54324)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=27013700)
- [All lakes in Hennepin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county)

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