Deer Lake
About Deer Lake
Deer Lake is an 181-acre lake near Nevis in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It reaches 9 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 5 feet, and has roughly 4.2 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and rock bass. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2015.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the city. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Deer Lake
- 181 acres, up to 9 feet deep, near Nevis
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the city
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and rock bass
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city
Conditions
- Surface area
- 181 acres
- Max depth
- 9 ft
- Average depth
- 5 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.2 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 181 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2015
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 24
- Years of record
- 17
- Earliest
- April 1, 2016
- Latest
- May 6, 2022
- Most recent
- April 17, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Deer Lake
Compare Deer Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Shallow Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Nevis284 acres
0.7 miles away
Spider Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Nevis570 acres
1.9 miles away
Belle Taine Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Nevis1,497 acres
2.1 miles away
Seventh Crow Wing Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Nevis262 acres
2.4 miles away
Sixth Crow Wing Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Nevis346 acres
2.9 miles away
Boulder Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Dorset341 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Deer Lake?
Deer Lake is in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Nevis. It covers 181 acres and reaches 9 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Deer Lake?
Deer Lake covers 181 acres with about 4.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 9 feet and its average depth is about 5 feet.
What fish can you catch at Deer Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Deer Lake?
Yes. Deer Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the city. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Deer Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Deer Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Deer Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Deer Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Deer Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 24, from 17 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 1, 2016 and the latest is May 6, 2022.