Hartley Lake
About Hartley Lake
Hartley Lake is a 288-acre lake near Nashwauk in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 49 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 21 feet, and has roughly 4.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.1 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 24, based on 11 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Hartley Lake
- 288 acres, up to 49 feet deep, near Nashwauk
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 9.1 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 288 acres
- Max depth
- 49 ft
- Average depth
- 21 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 9.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 98 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
- 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
- 16
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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 24
- Years of record
- 11
- Earliest
- April 13, 2005
- Latest
- May 4, 2018
- Most recent
- April 23, 2020
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Hartley Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Scooty Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk167 acres
1.5 miles away
Wolf Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Nashwauk197 acres
2.3 miles away
Round Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork460 acres
3.8 miles away
King Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Taconite311 acres
4.4 miles away
Lower Balsam Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Taconite259 acres
4.4 miles away
Long Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork346 acres
4.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hartley Lake?
Hartley Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Nashwauk. It covers 288 acres and reaches 49 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Hartley Lake?
Hartley Lake covers 288 acres with about 4.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 49 feet and its average depth is about 21 feet.
What fish can you catch at Hartley 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 Hartley Lake?
Yes. Hartley Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Hartley Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Hartley 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 Hartley Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Hartley Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Hartley Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 24, from 11 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 13, 2005 and the latest is May 4, 2018.