---
type: lake
name: "Deer Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Deer River"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 4093
max_depth_ft: 121
latitude: 47.38086
longitude: -93.66377
lake_score: 72
dnr_lake_id: "31071900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/deer-lake
---

# Deer Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Deer River

- **Surface Area**: 4,093 acres
- **Max Depth**: 121 ft
- **Average Depth**: 42 ft
- **Shoreline**: 26.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 13.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 72/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Deer Lake is a 4,093-acre lake near Deer River in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 121 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 42 feet, and has roughly 26.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 13.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, tiger muskellunge, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. 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) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 27, based on 35 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Tiger Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 27
- **Years of record**: 35
- **Earliest**: 2017-04-08
- **Latest**: 2013-05-18

## Nearby Lakes

- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/moose-lake) - 1.7 miles, 1,273 acres
- [Little Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-moose-lake) - 1.7 miles, 289 acres
- [McAvity Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/mcavity-lake) - 2.6 miles, 147 acres
- [Little Deer Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-deer-lake) - 2.6 miles, 67 acres
- [Fawn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/fawn-lake) - 2.8 miles, 190 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/long-lake-suomi) - 3.2 miles, 46 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.38086,-93.66377)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31071900)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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