Napoleon Lake
About Napoleon Lake
Napoleon Lake is a 138-acre lake near Togo in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.5 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2009.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 26, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Napoleon Lake
- 138 acres, up to 30 feet deep, near Togo
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 10.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 138 acres
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 42 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)
Best For
- 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
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2009
- 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 26
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- April 24, 2026
- Latest
- May 9, 2022
- Most recent
- April 24, 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 Napoleon Lake
Compare Napoleon Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Napoleon Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Owen Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork268 acres
1.3 miles away
Raddison Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork204 acres
1.6 miles away
Lost Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork89 acres
1.6 miles away
Walters Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Bigfork127 acres
2 miles away
Otter Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Togo117 acres
2.7 miles away
Wilson Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Togo92 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Napoleon Lake?
Napoleon Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Togo. It covers 138 acres and reaches 30 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Napoleon Lake?
Napoleon Lake covers 138 acres with about 2.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Napoleon Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Napoleon Lake?
Yes. Napoleon 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 Napoleon Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Napoleon 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 Napoleon Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Napoleon Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Napoleon Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 26, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 24, 2026 and the latest is May 9, 2022.