---
type: lake
name: "Lake Independence"
county: "Hennepin"
nearest_town: "Maple Plain"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 832
max_depth_ft: 58
latitude: 45.03186
longitude: -93.64893
lake_score: 70
dnr_lake_id: "27017600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/lake-independence
---

# Lake Independence

Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, near Maple Plain

- **Surface Area**: 832 acres
- **Max Depth**: 58 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 70/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Independence is an 832-acre lake near Maple Plain in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It reaches 58 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 7.5 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 40 Hennepin County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.8 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Oak Knoll Group Camp and Baker Park Reserve Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. 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 2, based on 22 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area

### Campgrounds

- Oak Knoll Group Camp
- Baker Park Reserve Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 2
- **Years of record**: 22
- **Earliest**: 2017-03-07
- **Latest**: 2018-05-04

## Nearby Lakes

- [Spurzem Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/spurzem-lake) - 1.5 miles, 82 acres
- [Lake Sarah](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/lake-sarah) - 2.6 miles, 557 acres
- [Lake Rebecca](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/lake-rebecca) - 5.1 miles, 263 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/long-lake) - 5.4 miles, 285 acres
- [Holy Name Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/holy-name-lake) - 5.8 miles, 71 acres
- [Dutch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/dutch-lake) - 6.2 miles, 175 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.03186,-93.64893)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=27017600)
- [All lakes in Hennepin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county)

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