Lake Benton
About Lake Benton
Lake Benton is a 2,699-acre lake near Lake Benton in Lincoln County, Minnesota. It reaches 9 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 18 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Lincoln County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.5 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 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 2025.
There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the city, county, and Minnesota DNR. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 7, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lake Benton
- 2,699 acres, up to 9 feet deep, near Lake Benton
- 3 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the city, county, and Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 1.5 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- city, county, Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 2,699 acres
- Max depth
- 9 ft
- Shoreline
- 18 mi
- Water clarity
- 1.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 2,699 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
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 11
- Game fish
- 6
- 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
- April 7
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- March 27, 2004
- Latest
- May 2, 2018
- Most recent
- April 7, 2022
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 Lake Benton. 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 Lake Benton
Compare Lake Benton against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Lake Benton ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Lake Benton ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Lake Benton ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Stay Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Arco221 acres
8 miles away
Dead Coon Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Arco547 acres
8.9 miles away
Shaokotan Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Ivanhoe996 acres
10 miles away
West Twin Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreLyon · Florence220 acres
10.3 miles away
East Twin Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreLyon · Florence356 acres
11 miles away
Wood Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreLyon · Russell373 acres
11.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Benton?
Lake Benton is in Lincoln County, Minnesota, near Lake Benton. It covers 2,699 acres and reaches 9 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lake Benton?
Lake Benton covers 2,699 acres with about 18 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 9 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lake Benton?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Benton?
Yes. Lake Benton has 3 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the city, county, and Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lake Benton?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lake Benton. 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 Benton stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lake Benton; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Lake Benton?
The median ice-out date is April 7, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 27, 2004 and the latest is May 2, 2018.
Can you camp at Lake Benton?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.