---
type: lake
name: "Richardson Lake"
county: "Meeker"
nearest_town: "Darwin"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 119
max_depth_ft: 47
latitude: 45.15919
longitude: -94.43909
lake_score: 53
dnr_lake_id: "47008800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/richardson-lake
---

# Richardson Lake

Lake in Meeker County, Minnesota, near Darwin

- **Surface Area**: 119 acres
- **Max Depth**: 47 ft
- **Shoreline**: 1.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 53/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## 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**: 10
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 4
- **Years of record**: 28
- **Earliest**: 2000-03-01
- **Latest**: 2018-04-30

## Nearby Lakes

- [Dunns Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/dunns-lake) - 0.6 miles, 152 acres
- [Lake Ripley (West Portion)](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/lake-ripley-west-portion) - 6.2 miles, 614 acres
- [Round Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/round-lake) - 6.3 miles, 266 acres
- [Lake Stella](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/lake-stella) - 6.4 miles, 599 acres
- [Arvilla Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/arvilla-lake) - 6.5 miles, 138 acres
- [Lake Manuella](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/lake-manuella) - 7 miles, 293 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.15919,-94.43909)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=47008800)
- [All lakes in Meeker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county)

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