---
type: lake
name: "Iowa Lake"
county: "Martin"
nearest_town: "Fairmont"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 705
max_depth_ft: 9.4
latitude: 43.49621
longitude: -94.45924
lake_score: 49
dnr_lake_id: "46004900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/iowa-lake
---

# Iowa Lake

Lake in Martin County, Minnesota, near Fairmont

- **Surface Area**: 705 acres
- **Max Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 12.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 0.7 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 49/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with Iowa

## About

Iowa Lake is a 705-acre lake near Fairmont in Martin County, Minnesota. It reaches 9 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 0.7 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer. The lake is a border water shared with Iowa, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, largemouth bass, black crappie, white 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 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around March 23, based on 26 years of DNR ice-out records.

## 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**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Hybrid Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 23
- **Years of record**: 26
- **Earliest**: 2024-02-23
- **Latest**: 2018-04-29

## Nearby Lakes

- [South Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/south-silver-lake) - 1.7 miles, 252 acres
- [Willmert Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/willmert-lake) - 4.6 miles, 335 acres
- [East Chain](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/east-chain) - 5.7 miles, 481 acres
- [Okamanpeedan Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/okamanpeedan-lake) - 6.7 miles, 2,268 acres
- [Bright Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/bright-lake) - 7.4 miles, 639 acres
- [Amber Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county/amber-lake) - 7.7 miles, 182 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=43.49621,-94.45924)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=46004900)
- [All lakes in Martin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/martin-county)

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