Jessie Lake
About Jessie Lake
Jessie Lake is a 1,740-acre lake near Talmoon in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.2 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. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Rising Eagle Resort is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 25, based on 81 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Jessie Lake
- 1,740 acres, up to 42 feet deep, near Talmoon
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 7.2 feet
- Camping close to the water at Rising Eagle Resort
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,740 acres
- Max depth
- 42 ft
- Shoreline
- 9.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 455 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)
- Camping: Rising Eagle Resort
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 15
- Game fish
- 11
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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 25
- Years of record
- 81
- Earliest
- March 29, 2012
- Latest
- May 19, 1950
- Most recent
- April 7, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Rising Eagle Resort is mapped on or near Jessie Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Jessie Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Little Jessie Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Deer River628 acres
2 miles away
Little Turtle Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Talmoon492 acres
3 miles away
Little Spring Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Talmoon136 acres
3 miles away
Peterson Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Talmoon163 acres
4 miles away
Big Too Much Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Talmoon292 acres
4.3 miles away
Spring Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Spring Lake (Itasca)132 acres
5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Jessie Lake?
Jessie Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Talmoon. It covers 1,740 acres and reaches 42 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Jessie Lake?
Jessie Lake covers 1,740 acres with about 9.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 42 feet.
What fish can you catch at Jessie Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Jessie Lake?
Yes. Jessie Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Jessie Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Jessie 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 Jessie Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Jessie Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Jessie Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 25, from 81 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 29, 2012 and the latest is May 19, 1950.
Can you camp at Jessie Lake?
Yes. Rising Eagle Resort is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Jessie Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Jessie Lake as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.