---
type: lake
name: "Deer Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Effie"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1855
max_depth_ft: 50
latitude: 47.83773
longitude: -93.37941
lake_score: 62
dnr_lake_id: "31033400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/deer-lake-effie
---

# Deer Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Effie

- **Surface Area**: 1,855 acres
- **Max Depth**: 50 ft
- **Shoreline**: 9.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 62/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 25
- **Years of record**: 18
- **Earliest**: 2010-04-03
- **Latest**: 1996-05-13

## Nearby Lakes

- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/pickerel-lake) - 1.3 miles, 241 acres
- [Battle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/battle-lake) - 1.9 miles, 243 acres
- [Poplar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/poplar-lake) - 1.9 miles, 112 acres
- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/bass-lake-togo) - 3.5 miles, 122 acres
- [Five Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/five-island-lake) - 3.9 miles, 214 acres
- [Buttonbox Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/buttonbox-lake) - 4.2 miles, 81 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.83773,-93.37941)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31033400)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/deer-lake-effie)*