Shaokotan Lake
About Shaokotan Lake
Shaokotan Lake is a 996-acre lake near Ivanhoe in Lincoln County, Minnesota. It reaches 10 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.7 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 11 Lincoln County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.3 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, 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 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. Picnic Point County Park is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around March 31, based on 33 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Shaokotan Lake
- 996 acres, up to 10 feet deep, near Ivanhoe
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 4.3 feet
- Camping close to the water at Picnic Point County Park
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 996 acres
- Max depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 996 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
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Picnic Point County Park
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 8
- Game fish
- 5
- 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
- March 31
- Years of record
- 33
- Earliest
- March 3, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 2018
- Most recent
- March 13, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Picnic Point County Park is mapped on or near Shaokotan Lake. 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 Shaokotan Lake
Compare Shaokotan Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Shaokotan Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Shaokotan Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Shaokotan Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Shaokotan Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Hendricks Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Hendricks1,522 acres
8.1 miles away
Perch Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Ivanhoe246 acres
8.3 miles away
Hawksnest Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Ivanhoe299 acres
9.1 miles away
Steep Bank Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Hendricks199 acres
9.4 miles away
Stay Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Arco221 acres
9.5 miles away
Lake Benton
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreLincoln · Lake Benton2,699 acres
10 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shaokotan Lake?
Shaokotan Lake is in Lincoln County, Minnesota, near Ivanhoe. It covers 996 acres and reaches 10 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Shaokotan Lake?
Shaokotan Lake covers 996 acres with about 8.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Shaokotan Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Shaokotan Lake?
Yes. Shaokotan Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Shaokotan Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Shaokotan 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 Shaokotan Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Shaokotan Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Shaokotan Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 31, from 33 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 3, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 2018.
Can you camp at Shaokotan Lake?
Yes. Picnic Point County Park is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.