Smith Lake
About Smith Lake
Smith Lake is a 209-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 32 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 12 feet, and has roughly 5.1 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2003.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface). Ice typically goes out around April 25, based on 12 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Smith Lake
- 209 acres, up to 32 feet deep, near Marcell
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 209 acres
- Max depth
- 32 ft
- Average depth
- 12 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.1 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 87 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2003
- 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
- 12
- Earliest
- March 25, 2012
- Latest
- May 11, 2013
- Most recent
- April 25, 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 Smith Lake
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Nearby Lakes
East Smith Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Alder152 acres
0.7 miles away
Big Ole Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell217 acres
1.6 miles away
Caribou Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell247 acres
1.7 miles away
Big Island Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell244 acres
2 miles away
North Star Lake
74 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell832 acres
2.1 miles away
Crooked Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell134 acres
2.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Smith Lake?
Smith Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Marcell. It covers 209 acres and reaches 32 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Smith Lake?
Smith Lake covers 209 acres with about 5.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 32 feet and its average depth is about 12 feet.
What fish can you catch at Smith Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Smith Lake?
Yes. Smith Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth). DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Smith Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Smith 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 Smith Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Smith Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Smith Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 25, from 12 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 25, 2012 and the latest is May 11, 2013.