Dinner Pail Lake
About Dinner Pail Lake
Dinner Pail Lake is a 47-acre lake near Hill City in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2008.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county.
Plan Your Visit to Dinner Pail Lake
- 47 acres, up to 30 feet deep, near Hill City
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 9 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 47 acres
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 21 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)
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 10
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2008
- 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.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Dinner Pail Lake
Compare Dinner Pail Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Mountain Ash Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Hill City101 acres
1.6 miles away
Hill Lake
76 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Hill City794 acres
2.8 miles away
Smith Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Hill City43 acres
4.4 miles away
Taylor Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Hill City55 acres
5.3 miles away
Split Hand Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids1,374 acres
5.4 miles away
Carlson Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids188 acres
5.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dinner Pail Lake?
Dinner Pail Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Hill City. It covers 47 acres and reaches 30 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Dinner Pail Lake?
Dinner Pail Lake covers 47 acres with about 1.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Dinner Pail Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list 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 Dinner Pail Lake?
Yes. Dinner Pail Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Dinner Pail Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Dinner Pail 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 Dinner Pail Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Dinner Pail Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.