---
type: lake
name: "Rays Lake"
county: "Le Sueur"
nearest_town: "Elysian"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 169
max_depth_ft: 32
latitude: 44.2131
longitude: -93.6776
lake_score: 47
dnr_lake_id: "40005600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/rays-lake
---

# Rays Lake

Lake in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, near Elysian

- **Surface Area**: 169 acres
- **Max Depth**: 32 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 47/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Rays Lake is a 169-acre lake near Elysian in Le Sueur County, Minnesota. It reaches 32 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.3 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county. 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 7 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 29
- **Years of record**: 7
- **Earliest**: 2015-03-21
- **Latest**: 2008-04-16

## Nearby Lakes

- [Frances Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/frances-lake) - 1.2 miles, 927 acres
- [Fish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/fish-lake) - 1.3 miles, 77 acres
- [Steele Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/steele-lake) - 2.1 miles, 76 acres
- [Lily Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/waseca-county/lily-lake) - 2.3 miles, 114 acres
- [Lake Elysian](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/waseca-county/lake-elysian) - 3 miles, 2,215 acres
- [Roemhildts Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/roemhildts-lake) - 3.6 miles, 74 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.2131,-93.6776)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=40005600)
- [All lakes in Le Sueur County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/rays-lake)*