Palmer Lake
About Palmer Lake
Palmer Lake is a 146-acre lake near Park Rapids in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.3 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 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 2021.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 20 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Palmer Lake
- 146 acres, up to 21 feet deep, near Park Rapids
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 9.3 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 146 acres
- Max depth
- 21 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 92 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)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 10
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- 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 19
- Years of record
- 20
- Earliest
- March 15, 2024
- Latest
- May 15, 2002
- Most recent
- April 16, 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 Palmer Lake
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See how Palmer Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Second Crow Wing Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids221 acres
1.1 miles away
Duck Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Hubbard326 acres
1.5 miles away
First Crow Wing Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Hubbard522 acres
2.1 miles away
Third Crow Wing Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Hubbard643 acres
2.9 miles away
Fourth Crow Wing Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Nevis434 acres
3.7 miles away
Big Stony Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids343 acres
4.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Palmer Lake?
Palmer Lake is in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Park Rapids. It covers 146 acres and reaches 21 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Palmer Lake?
Palmer Lake covers 146 acres with about 2.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 21 feet.
What fish can you catch at Palmer Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Palmer Lake?
Yes. Palmer Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Palmer Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Palmer 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 Palmer Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Palmer Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Palmer Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 19, from 20 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 15, 2024 and the latest is May 15, 2002.