---
type: lake
name: "Lake Benton"
county: "Lincoln"
nearest_town: "Lake Benton"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 2699
max_depth_ft: 9
latitude: 44.28749
longitude: -96.24157
lake_score: 58
dnr_lake_id: "41004300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/lake-benton
---

# Lake Benton

Lake in Lincoln County, Minnesota, near Lake Benton

- **Surface Area**: 2,699 acres
- **Max Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 18 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 1.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 58/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city, county, Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 11
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, White Sucker

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 7
- **Years of record**: 5
- **Earliest**: 2004-03-27
- **Latest**: 2018-05-02

## Nearby Lakes

- [Stay Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/stay-lake) - 8 miles, 221 acres
- [Dead Coon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/dead-coon-lake) - 8.9 miles, 547 acres
- [Shaokotan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/shaokotan-lake) - 10 miles, 996 acres
- [West Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/west-twin-lake) - 10.3 miles, 220 acres
- [East Twin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/east-twin-lake) - 11 miles, 356 acres
- [Wood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/wood-lake) - 11.6 miles, 373 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.28749,-96.24157)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=41004300)
- [All lakes in Lincoln County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/lake-benton)*