Bray Lake
About Bray Lake
Bray Lake is a 177-acre lake near Nashwauk in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 44 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2014.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. Ice typically goes out around April 23, based on 8 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Bray Lake
- 177 acres, up to 44 feet deep, near Nashwauk
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 4 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 177 acres
- Max depth
- 44 ft
- Shoreline
- 3 mi
- Water clarity
- 4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 75 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 carry-in access
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2014
- 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 23
- Years of record
- 8
- Earliest
- April 3, 2024
- Latest
- May 6, 2022
- Most recent
- April 3, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Bray Lake
Compare Bray Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Thirty Lake
8 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk121 acres
1.3 miles away
Shoal Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk266 acres
1.7 miles away
Crooked Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marble465 acres
2.3 miles away
Nashwauk Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk168 acres
2.8 miles away
Bass Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marble131 acres
3 miles away
Big McCarthy Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cooley104 acres
3.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bray Lake?
Bray Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Nashwauk. It covers 177 acres and reaches 44 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Bray Lake?
Bray Lake covers 177 acres with about 3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 44 feet.
What fish can you catch at Bray Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Bray Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Bray Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Bray 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 Bray Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Bray Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Bray Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 23, from 8 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 3, 2024 and the latest is May 6, 2022.