---
type: lake
name: "Knife Lake"
county: "Kanabec"
nearest_town: "Mora"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1259
max_depth_ft: 15
latitude: 45.97467
longitude: -93.3018
lake_score: 49
dnr_lake_id: "33002800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/knife-lake
---

# Knife Lake

Lake in Kanabec County, Minnesota, near Mora

- **Surface Area**: 1,259 acres
- **Max Depth**: 15 ft
- **Average Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 18.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 49/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Knife Lake is a 1,259-acre lake near Mora in Kanabec County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 18.2 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Kanabec County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.4 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 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. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike and walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and faucet snail — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 12, based on 45 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 19
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Northern Pike**: All from 24-36" must be immediately released. Possession limit three, only one over 36".
- **Walleye**: All from 18-24" must be immediately released.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Golden Redhorse, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Hog Sucker, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, faucet snail. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 12
- **Years of record**: 45
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-21
- **Latest**: 2013-05-07

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Ann](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/lake-ann) - 6.4 miles, 653 acres
- [Pomroy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/pomroy-lake) - 6.5 miles, 412 acres
- [Quamba Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/quamba-lake) - 8.1 miles, 226 acres
- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/fish-lake) - 9.7 miles, 506 acres
- [Pennington Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/pennington-lake) - 13.5 miles, 128 acres
- [Five Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/five-lake) - 14.1 miles, 44 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.97467,-93.3018)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=33002800)
- [All lakes in Kanabec County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/kanabec-county/knife-lake)*