---
type: lake
name: "Whaletail Lake"
county: "Hennepin"
nearest_town: "Saint Bonifacius"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 510
max_depth_ft: 22
latitude: 44.93621
longitude: -93.7257
lake_score: 48
dnr_lake_id: "27018400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/whaletail-lake
---

# Whaletail Lake

Lake in Hennepin County, Minnesota, near Saint Bonifacius

- **Surface Area**: 510 acres
- **Max Depth**: 22 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 48/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Whaletail Lake is a 510-acre lake near Saint Bonifacius in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It reaches 22 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.1 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 8, based on 9 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**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 8
- **Years of record**: 9
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-03
- **Latest**: 2018-05-01

## Nearby Lakes

- [Little Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/little-long-lake) - 1.2 miles, 69 acres
- [Dutch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/dutch-lake) - 2.3 miles, 175 acres
- [Langdon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county/langdon-lake) - 2.5 miles, 143 acres
- [Parley Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/parley-lake) - 3.7 miles, 258 acres
- [Oak Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/oak-lake) - 3.9 miles, 333 acres
- [Stone Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/carver-county/stone-lake) - 4 miles, 101 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.93621,-93.7257)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=27018400)
- [All lakes in Hennepin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hennepin-county)

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