---
type: lake
name: "Stay Lake"
county: "Lincoln"
nearest_town: "Arco"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 221
max_depth_ft: 6
latitude: 44.39112
longitude: -96.1701
lake_score: 45
dnr_lake_id: "41003400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/stay-lake
---

# Stay Lake

Lake in Lincoln County, Minnesota, near Arco

- **Surface Area**: 221 acres
- **Max Depth**: 6 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 45/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Stay Lake is a 221-acre lake near Arco in Lincoln County, Minnesota. It reaches 6 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.2 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, 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 is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 12
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Dead Coon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/dead-coon-lake) - 4.2 miles, 547 acres
- [Hawksnest Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/hawksnest-lake) - 6.2 miles, 299 acres
- [Goose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/goose-lake) - 6.2 miles, 150 acres
- [Wood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/wood-lake) - 7.5 miles, 373 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/island-lake) - 7.9 miles, 170 acres
- [Lake Benton](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county/lake-benton) - 8 miles, 2,699 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.39112,-96.1701)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=41003400)
- [All lakes in Lincoln County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lincoln-county)

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