Bright Lake
About Bright Lake
Bright Lake is a 639-acre lake near Ceylon in Martin County, Minnesota. It reaches 7 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 0.7 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 20 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Bright Lake County Park is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around March 20, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Bright Lake
- 639 acres, up to 7 feet deep, near Ceylon
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 0.7 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at Bright Lake County Park
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 639 acres
- Max depth
- 7 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 0.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 651 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
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Camping: Bright Lake County Park
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
- 20
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- 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 20
- Years of record
- 7
- Earliest
- February 23, 2024
- Latest
- April 11, 2023
- Most recent
- March 9, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Bright Lake County Park is mapped on or near Bright 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 Bright Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Clear Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Ceylon267 acres
4.2 miles away
Okamanpeedan Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Ceylon2,268 acres
4.6 miles away
Willmert Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Fairmont335 acres
4.8 miles away
Amber Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Fairmont182 acres
6.1 miles away
South Silver Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Fairmont252 acres
6.2 miles away
Hall Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreMartin · Fairmont548 acres
7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bright Lake?
Bright Lake is in Martin County, Minnesota, near Ceylon. It covers 639 acres and reaches 7 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Bright Lake?
Bright Lake covers 639 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 7 feet.
What fish can you catch at Bright Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, and White Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Bright Lake?
Yes. Bright Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Bright Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Bright 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 Bright Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Bright Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Bright Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 20, from 7 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is February 23, 2024 and the latest is April 11, 2023.
Can you camp at Bright Lake?
Yes. Bright Lake County Park is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.