Carrie Lake
About Carrie Lake
Carrie Lake is an 89-acre lake near Atwater in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. It reaches 26 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white 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 2021.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. Ice typically goes out around April 2, based on 27 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Carrie Lake
- 89 acres, up to 26 feet deep, near Atwater
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 4.5 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 89 acres
- Max depth
- 26 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 21 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
- 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
- 14
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- 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 2
- Years of record
- 27
- Earliest
- March 8, 2000
- Latest
- April 30, 2013
- Most recent
- March 22, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Carrie Lake
Compare Carrie Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Ella Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreKandiyohi · Atwater153 acres
1.3 miles away
Lake Elizabeth
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreKandiyohi · Atwater1,023 acres
1.5 miles away
Lake Minnetaga
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreKandiyohi · Kandiyohi791 acres
3.9 miles away
Long Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Grove City783 acres
6 miles away
Hope Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Grove City274 acres
6.6 miles away
Peterson Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Grove City135 acres
7.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Carrie Lake?
Carrie Lake is in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, near Atwater. It covers 89 acres and reaches 26 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Carrie Lake?
Carrie Lake covers 89 acres with about 1.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 26 feet.
What fish can you catch at Carrie Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Carrie Lake?
Yes. Carrie 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 Carrie Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Carrie 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 Carrie Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Carrie Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Carrie Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 2, from 27 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 8, 2000 and the latest is April 30, 2013.