Busties Lake
About Busties Lake
Busties Lake is a 245-acre lake near Craigville in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 44 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.5 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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 2022.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Busticogan Campsite is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Busties Lake
- 245 acres, up to 44 feet deep, near Craigville
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 12.5 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Busticogan Campsite
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 245 acres
- Max depth
- 44 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 12.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 71 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)
- Camping: Busticogan Campsite
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 11
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- 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.
Camping & Reservations
Busticogan Campsite is mapped on or near Busties Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Busties Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Deer Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Effie1,855 acres
5.7 miles away
Bass Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Togo122 acres
6.5 miles away
Pickerel Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Effie241 acres
6.9 miles away
Poplar Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Togo112 acres
7.1 miles away
Battle Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Effie243 acres
7.5 miles away
Larson Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Effie208 acres
7.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Busties Lake?
Busties Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Craigville. It covers 245 acres and reaches 44 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Busties Lake?
Busties Lake covers 245 acres with about 3.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 44 feet.
What fish can you catch at Busties Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Busties Lake?
Yes. Busties Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Busties Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Busties 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 Busties Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Busties Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Can you camp at Busties Lake?
Yes. Busticogan Campsite is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.