Scotch Lake
About Scotch Lake
Scotch Lake is a 598-acre lake near Cleveland in Le Sueur County, Minnesota. It reaches 11 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.9 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. 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 2023.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in.
Plan Your Visit to Scotch Lake
- 598 acres, up to 11 feet deep, near Cleveland
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 4.9 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 598 acres
- Max depth
- 11 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 596 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Scotch Lake
Compare Scotch Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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West Jefferson Lake
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East Jefferson Lake
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Swede's Bay
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German Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Greenland889 acres
4.7 miles away
Lake Washington
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Madison Lake1,516 acres
5.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Scotch Lake?
Scotch Lake is in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, near Cleveland. It covers 598 acres and reaches 11 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Scotch Lake?
Scotch Lake covers 598 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 11 feet.
What fish can you catch at Scotch 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 Scotch Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Scotch Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Scotch 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 Scotch Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Scotch Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.