Wind Lake
About Wind Lake
Wind Lake is a 926-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 32 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 17.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2011.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 9 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Wind Lake
- 926 acres, up to 32 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 8 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 926 acres
- Max depth
- 32 ft
- Shoreline
- 17.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 686 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
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Camping (9 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2011
- 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
9 campgrounds are mapped on or near Wind 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 Wind Lake
Compare Wind Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Wind Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Wind Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Wind Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Moose Lake
71 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely1,301 acres
1.9 miles away
Indiana Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage143 acres
2.7 miles away
Hula Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage131 acres
3 miles away
Jasper Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage175 acres
3.2 miles away
Wood Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage617 acres
3.2 miles away
Manomin Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage409 acres
3.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wind Lake?
Wind Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 926 acres and reaches 32 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Wind Lake?
Wind Lake covers 926 acres with about 17.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 32 feet.
What fish can you catch at Wind Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Wind Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Wind Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Wind 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 Wind Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Wind Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Wind Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.