Hale Lake
About Hale Lake
Hale Lake is a 130-acre lake near Grand Rapids in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 60 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 30 feet, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2014.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 25, based on 16 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Hale Lake
- 130 acres, up to 60 feet deep, near Grand Rapids
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the city
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 17 feet — very clear
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city
Conditions
- Surface area
- 130 acres
- Max depth
- 60 ft
- Average depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 17 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 37 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 (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 13
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2014
- 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.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 25
- Years of record
- 16
- Earliest
- April 2, 2024
- Latest
- May 7, 2022
- Most recent
- April 21, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Hale Lake
Compare Hale Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Hale Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Blandin Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids490 acres
0.8 miles away
McKinney Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids106 acres
0.9 miles away
Horseshoe Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids142 acres
2.6 miles away
Little Jay Gould Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset150 acres
3 miles away
Tioga Mine Pit
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset49 acres
3.5 miles away
Little Bass Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset161 acres
3.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hale Lake?
Hale Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Grand Rapids. It covers 130 acres and reaches 60 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Hale Lake?
Hale Lake covers 130 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 60 feet and its average depth is about 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Hale Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Hale Lake?
Yes. Hale Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the city. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Hale Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Hale 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 Hale Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Hale Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Hale Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 25, from 16 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 2, 2024 and the latest is May 7, 2022.
Does Hale Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Hale Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.