Richardson Lake
About Richardson Lake
Richardson Lake is an 119-acre lake near Darwin in Meeker County, Minnesota. It reaches 47 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 1.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.1 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black 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 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 4, based on 28 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Richardson Lake
- 119 acres, up to 47 feet deep, near Darwin
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 5.1 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 119 acres
- Max depth
- 47 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 45 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)
Best For
- 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- 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
- 28
- Earliest
- March 1, 2000
- Latest
- April 30, 2018
- Most recent
- March 24, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Richardson Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Dunns Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Darwin152 acres
0.6 miles away
Lake Ripley (West Portion)
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Litchfield614 acres
6.2 miles away
Round Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Litchfield266 acres
6.3 miles away
Lake Stella
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Darwin599 acres
6.4 miles away
Arvilla Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Kingston138 acres
6.5 miles away
Lake Manuella
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreMeeker · Darwin293 acres
7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Richardson Lake?
Richardson Lake is in Meeker County, Minnesota, near Darwin. It covers 119 acres and reaches 47 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Richardson Lake?
Richardson Lake covers 119 acres with about 1.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 47 feet.
What fish can you catch at Richardson Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Richardson Lake?
Yes. Richardson Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Richardson Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Richardson 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 Richardson Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Richardson Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Richardson Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 4, from 28 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 1, 2000 and the latest is April 30, 2018.