Frances Lake
About Frances Lake
Frances Lake is a 927-acre lake near Greenland in Le Sueur County, Minnesota. It reaches 60 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.8 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 24 Le Sueur County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city, Minnesota DNR, and county. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around March 29, based on 31 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Frances Lake
- 927 acres, up to 60 feet deep, near Greenland
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the city, Minnesota DNR, and county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 7 feet
- Camping close to the water
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city, Minnesota DNR, county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 927 acres
- Max depth
- 60 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 502 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 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping (1 mapped)
- Picnic area
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 16
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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
- March 29
- Years of record
- 31
- Earliest
- March 4, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 2018
- Most recent
- March 27, 2026
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 Frances 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 Frances Lake
Compare Frances Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Frances Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Frances Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Frances Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Frances Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Frances Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Rays Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Elysian169 acres
1.2 miles away
Steele Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Greenland76 acres
2 miles away
Fish Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Waterville77 acres
2.2 miles away
Lake Elysian
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreWaseca · Elysian2,215 acres
2.9 miles away
Roemhildts Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Mankato74 acres
3.1 miles away
Lily Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreWaseca · Elysian114 acres
3.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Frances Lake?
Frances Lake is in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, near Greenland. It covers 927 acres and reaches 60 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Frances Lake?
Frances Lake covers 927 acres with about 8.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 60 feet.
What fish can you catch at Frances Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Frances Lake?
Yes. Frances Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the city, Minnesota DNR, and county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Frances Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Frances 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 Frances Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Frances Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Frances Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 29, from 31 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 4, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 2018.
Can you camp at Frances Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Frances Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Frances Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.