Wilson Lake
About Wilson Lake
Wilson Lake is a 650-acre lake near Schroeder in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 53 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 30 feet, and has roughly 7.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.3 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 4 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 29, based on 12 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Wilson Lake
- 650 acres, up to 53 feet deep, near Schroeder
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 17.3 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 650 acres
- Max depth
- 53 ft
- Average depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 17.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 240 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 (concrete)
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 4
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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 29
- Years of record
- 12
- Earliest
- April 5, 2012
- Latest
- May 21, 2014
- Most recent
- April 30, 2017
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Wilson 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 Wilson Lake
Compare Wilson Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Wilson Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Little Wilson Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Schroeder55 acres
1 miles away
Sister Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Sawbill Landing125 acres
1.6 miles away
Lake Harriet
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella265 acres
1.8 miles away
Dam Five Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella78 acres
2.2 miles away
Cross River
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Schroeder79 acres
2.4 miles away
Whitefish Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Tofte346 acres
3.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wilson Lake?
Wilson Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Schroeder. It covers 650 acres and reaches 53 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Wilson Lake?
Wilson Lake covers 650 acres with about 7.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 53 feet and its average depth is about 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Wilson Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Wilson Lake?
Yes. Wilson Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Wilson Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Wilson 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 Wilson Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Wilson Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Wilson Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 29, from 12 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 5, 2012 and the latest is May 21, 2014.
Can you camp at Wilson Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.