---
type: lake
name: "Yankton Lake"
county: "Lyon"
nearest_town: "Balaton"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 403
max_depth_ft: 8
latitude: 44.24588
longitude: -95.86434
lake_score: 48
dnr_lake_id: "42004700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/yankton-lake
---

# Yankton Lake

Lake in Lyon County, Minnesota, near Balaton

- **Surface Area**: 403 acres
- **Max Depth**: 8 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 48/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Yankton Lake is a 403-acre lake near Balaton in Lyon County, Minnesota. It reaches 8 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.9 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Lyon County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **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, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [McKay Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/mckay-lake) - 2.6 miles, 167 acres
- [Lake of the Hill](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/lake-of-the-hill) - 3.8 miles, 147 acres
- [Rock Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/rock-lake) - 4.1 miles, 379 acres
- [Iron Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/murray-county/iron-lake) - 5.8 miles, 282 acres
- [Currant Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/murray-county/currant-lake) - 7 miles, 406 acres
- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county/clear-lake) - 7.1 miles, 66 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.24588,-95.86434)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=42004700)
- [All lakes in Lyon County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/lyon-county)

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