Lake Emily
About Lake Emily
Lake Emily is a 300-acre lake near Saint Peter in Le Sueur County, Minnesota. It reaches 37 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.7 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill. 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 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around March 30, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lake Emily
- 300 acres, up to 37 feet deep, near Saint Peter
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 2.7 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 300 acres
- Max depth
- 37 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 165 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)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- 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 30
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- March 1, 2024
- Latest
- April 29, 2018
- Most recent
- March 15, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Lake Emily
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See how Lake Emily ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Lake Washington
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Madison Lake1,516 acres
4.5 miles away
West Jefferson Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Marysburg439 acres
5.2 miles away
Scotch Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Cleveland598 acres
5.8 miles away
George Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Marysburg88 acres
5.9 miles away
Middle Jefferson Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Marysburg667 acres
6.7 miles away
Swede's Bay
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Marysburg507 acres
7.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Emily?
Lake Emily is in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, near Saint Peter. It covers 300 acres and reaches 37 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lake Emily?
Lake Emily covers 300 acres with about 6.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 37 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lake Emily?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Channel Catfish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Emily?
Yes. Lake Emily has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lake Emily?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lake Emily. 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 Lake Emily stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lake Emily; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Lake Emily?
The median ice-out date is March 30, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 1, 2024 and the latest is April 29, 2018.