Lake Francis
About Lake Francis
Lake Francis is a 1,053-acre lake near Kingston in Meeker County, Minnesota. It reaches 17 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 7 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 31 Meeker County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black 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 township. Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve (North Unit) and Stanley Eddy Regional Park Reserve South are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 4, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lake Francis
- 1,053 acres, up to 17 feet deep, near Kingston
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 7 feet
- Camping close to the water at Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve (North Unit) and Stanley Eddy Regional Park Reserve South
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,053 acres
- Max depth
- 17 ft
- Average depth
- 9 ft
- Shoreline
- 7 mi
- Water clarity
- 7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 871 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: Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve (North Unit) and Stanley Eddy Regional Park Reserve South
- Picnic area
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
- 14
- Game fish
- 7
- 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
- April 4
- Years of record
- 9
- Earliest
- March 31, 2026
- Latest
- April 22, 2008
- Most recent
- March 31, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve (North Unit) and Stanley Eddy Regional Park Reserve South are mapped on or near Lake Francis. 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 Lake Francis
Compare Lake Francis against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Lake Francis ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Lake Francis ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Lake Francis ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Lake Francis ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Lake Francis ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Moose Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · French Lake87 acres
1.4 miles away
Union Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · South Haven93 acres
2.2 miles away
West Lake Sylvia
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · South Haven904 acres
3 miles away
East Lake Sylvia
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · South Haven669 acres
3.8 miles away
Betty Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Kimball154 acres
3.8 miles away
French Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreWright · Annandale346 acres
4.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Francis?
Lake Francis is in Meeker County, Minnesota, near Kingston. It covers 1,053 acres and reaches 17 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lake Francis?
Lake Francis covers 1,053 acres with about 7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 17 feet and its average depth is about 9 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lake Francis?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Francis?
Yes. Lake Francis has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lake Francis?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lake Francis. 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 Lake Francis stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lake Francis; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Lake Francis?
The median ice-out date is April 4, from 9 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 31, 2026 and the latest is April 22, 2008.
Can you camp at Lake Francis?
Yes. Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve (North Unit) and Stanley Eddy Regional Park Reserve South are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Lake Francis have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Lake Francis as infested with zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.