---
type: lake
name: "Lake Stella"
county: "Meeker"
nearest_town: "Darwin"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 599
max_depth_ft: 75
latitude: 45.06726
longitude: -94.41977
lake_score: 56
dnr_lake_id: "47006800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/lake-stella
---

# Lake Stella

Lake in Meeker County, Minnesota, near Darwin

- **Surface Area**: 599 acres
- **Max Depth**: 75 ft
- **Average Depth**: 14 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.7 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 56/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Stella is a 599-acre lake near Darwin in Meeker County, Minnesota. It reaches 75 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 14 feet, and has roughly 4.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.9 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 7, based on 34 years of DNR ice-out records.

## 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, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 7
- **Years of record**: 34
- **Earliest**: 2016-03-15
- **Latest**: 2013-05-02

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Manuella](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/lake-manuella) - 1.4 miles, 293 acres
- [Lake Washington](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/lake-washington) - 2.3 miles, 2,438 acres
- [Erie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/erie-lake) - 3.9 miles, 190 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/round-lake) - 4.2 miles, 266 acres
- [Greenleaf Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/greenleaf-lake) - 4.6 miles, 238 acres
- [Willie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/willie-lake) - 5.7 miles, 192 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.06726,-94.41977)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=47006800)
- [All lakes in Meeker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county)

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