Ester Lake
About Ester Lake
Ester Lake is a 374-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 110 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 24.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, burbot, and lake whitefish. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. 2 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Ester Lake
- 374 acres, up to 110 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, burbot, and lake whitefish
- Average water clarity around 24.6 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 374 acres
- Max depth
- 110 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 24.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 155 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
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- Camping (2 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 7
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
2 campgrounds are mapped on or near Ester 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 Ester Lake
Compare Ester Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Rabbit Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage117 acres
0.8 miles away
Ashdick Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage109 acres
1.1 miles away
Ottertrack Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely1,134 acres
1.3 miles away
Hanson Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage289 acres
1.7 miles away
Zephyr Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Prairie Portage140 acres
1.9 miles away
Gijikiki Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage113 acres
2.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ester Lake?
Ester Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 374 acres and reaches 110 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Ester Lake?
Ester Lake covers 374 acres with about 8.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 110 feet.
What fish can you catch at Ester Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Burbot, and Lake Whitefish. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Ester Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Ester Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Ester 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 Ester Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Ester Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Ester Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.