Skunk Lake
About Skunk Lake
Skunk Lake is a 218-acre lake near Park Rapids in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It reaches 55 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 5.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2007.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Skunk Lake
- 218 acres, up to 55 feet deep, near Park Rapids
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 17.5 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 218 acres
- Max depth
- 55 ft
- Average depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 17.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 123 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2007
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
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
- 7
- Earliest
- March 31, 2016
- Latest
- May 6, 2022
- Most recent
- May 6, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Skunk Lake
Compare Skunk Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Bad Axe Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Emmaville303 acres
3.2 miles away
Pickerel Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids310 acres
3.4 miles away
Stocking Lake
9 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids102 acres
4.1 miles away
Schoolcraft Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids170 acres
4.6 miles away
Blue Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Park Rapids336 acres
4.7 miles away
Mantrap Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreHubbard · Emmaville1,618 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Skunk Lake?
Skunk Lake is in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Park Rapids. It covers 218 acres and reaches 55 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Skunk Lake?
Skunk Lake covers 218 acres with about 5.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 55 feet and its average depth is about 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Skunk Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Skunk Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Skunk Lake.
Can you swim at Skunk Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Skunk 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 Skunk Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Skunk Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Skunk Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 24, from 7 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 31, 2016 and the latest is May 6, 2022.