Buck Lake
About Buck Lake
Buck Lake is a 495-acre lake near Nashwauk in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 31 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.5 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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 2023.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface). Ice typically goes out around April 21, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Buck Lake
- 495 acres, up to 31 feet deep, near Nashwauk
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 10.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 495 acres
- Max depth
- 31 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 180 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 (concrete)
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
- 12
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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 21
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- April 7, 2024
- Latest
- May 8, 2022
- Most recent
- April 7, 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 Buck Lake
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Nearby Lakes
O'Leary Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk140 acres
2.8 miles away
Wolf Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk197 acres
4.1 miles away
Bower Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk93 acres
4.3 miles away
Stingy Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk361 acres
5.3 miles away
Shoal Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk266 acres
5.3 miles away
Hartley Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk288 acres
5.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Buck Lake?
Buck Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Nashwauk. It covers 495 acres and reaches 31 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Buck Lake?
Buck Lake covers 495 acres with about 4.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 31 feet.
What fish can you catch at Buck 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 Buck Lake?
Yes. Buck Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete). DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Buck Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Buck 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 Buck Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Buck Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Buck Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 21, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 7, 2024 and the latest is May 8, 2022.