Deer Lake
About Deer Lake
Deer Lake is a 1,855-acre lake near Effie in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 25, based on 18 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Deer Lake
- 1,855 acres, up to 50 feet deep, near Effie
- 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
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 8.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,855 acres
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Shoreline
- 9.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,332 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
- 15
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 25
- Years of record
- 18
- Earliest
- April 3, 2010
- Latest
- May 13, 1996
- Most recent
- May 10, 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 Deer Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Pickerel Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Effie241 acres
1.3 miles away
Battle Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Effie243 acres
1.9 miles away
Poplar Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Togo112 acres
1.9 miles away
Bass Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Togo122 acres
3.5 miles away
Five Island Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Effie214 acres
3.9 miles away
Buttonbox Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Togo81 acres
4.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Deer Lake?
Deer Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Effie. It covers 1,855 acres and reaches 50 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Deer Lake?
Deer Lake covers 1,855 acres with about 9.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 50 feet.
What fish can you catch at Deer Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Deer Lake?
Yes. Deer 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 Deer Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Deer 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 Deer Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Deer Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Deer Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five.
When does the ice go out on Deer Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 25, from 18 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 3, 2010 and the latest is May 13, 1996.