---
type: lake
name: "Upper Sakatah Lake"
county: "Le Sueur"
nearest_town: "Waterville"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 892
max_depth_ft: 12
latitude: 44.22747
longitude: -93.54147
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "40000200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/upper-sakatah-lake
---

# Upper Sakatah Lake

Lake in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, near Waterville

- **Surface Area**: 892 acres
- **Max Depth**: 12 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Upper Sakatah Lake is an 892-acre lake near Waterville in Le Sueur County, Minnesota. It reaches 12 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.5 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 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 2020.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and city. Sakatah Lake State Park Campground and Scotts Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and flowering rush — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around March 28, based on 26 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2020
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground, Picnic Area

### Campgrounds

- Sakatah Lake State Park Campground
- Scotts Campground
- Cannon Gate Park
- Kamp Dels

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 28
- **Years of record**: 26
- **Earliest**: 2024-02-27
- **Latest**: 2013-04-21

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lower Sakatah Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/lower-sakatah-lake) - 2 miles, 372 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/horseshoe-lake) - 2.6 miles, 417 acres
- [Lake Tetonka](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/lake-tetonka) - 3.4 miles, 1,358 acres
- [Sunfish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/sunfish-lake) - 4.4 miles, 121 acres
- [Reeds Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/waseca-county/reeds-lake) - 4.5 miles, 195 acres
- [Toner's Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/waseca-county/toner-s-lake) - 5.2 miles, 130 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.22747,-93.54147)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=40000200)
- [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/upper-sakatah-lake)*