Hanson Lake
About Hanson Lake
Hanson Lake is a 289-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 100 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.6 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including smallmouth bass, 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. 4 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Hanson Lake
- 289 acres, up to 100 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: smallmouth bass, lake trout, burbot, and lake whitefish
- Average water clarity around 15.6 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
- 289 acres
- Max depth
- 100 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 43 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 (4 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
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- 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
4 campgrounds are mapped on or near Hanson 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 Hanson Lake
Compare Hanson Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Hanson Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Hanson Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Hanson Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Cherry Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage153 acres
1.1 miles away
Rabbit Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage117 acres
1.5 miles away
Ester Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage374 acres
1.7 miles away
Holt Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage115 acres
1.7 miles away
Gijikiki Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage113 acres
1.8 miles away
Topaz Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage150 acres
2.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hanson Lake?
Hanson Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 289 acres and reaches 100 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Hanson Lake?
Hanson Lake covers 289 acres with about 5.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 100 feet.
What fish can you catch at Hanson Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Smallmouth Bass, Lake Trout, Burbot, and Lake Whitefish. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Hanson Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Hanson Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Hanson 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 Hanson Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Hanson Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Hanson Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.