Sullivan Lake
About Sullivan Lake
Sullivan Lake is a 1,103-acre lake near Harding in Morrison County, Minnesota. It reaches 57 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 18 feet, and has roughly 7.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 25 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sullivan Lake
- 1,103 acres, up to 57 feet deep, near Harding
- 3 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 8.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,103 acres
- Max depth
- 57 ft
- Average depth
- 18 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 567 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
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 18
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Possession limit 10 combined total for both lakes.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 19
- Years of record
- 25
- Earliest
- March 19, 2012
- Latest
- April 29, 1996
- Most recent
- April 29, 2023
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Sullivan Lake
Compare Sullivan Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Sullivan Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Sullivan Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Round Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreMorrison · Harding130 acres
1.7 miles away
Platte Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Sullivan1,663 acres
2 miles away
Long Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreMorrison · Sullivan126 acres
2.8 miles away
Peavy Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreMorrison · Sullivan140 acres
3.1 miles away
Rock Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center203 acres
3.3 miles away
Bulldog Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Pine Center149 acres
3.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sullivan Lake?
Sullivan Lake is in Morrison County, Minnesota, near Harding. It covers 1,103 acres and reaches 57 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sullivan Lake?
Sullivan Lake covers 1,103 acres with about 7.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 57 feet and its average depth is about 18 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sullivan Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Sullivan Lake?
Yes. Sullivan Lake has 3 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Sullivan Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Sullivan 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 Sullivan Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Sullivan Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Sullivan Lake?
Yes. Possession limit 10 combined total for both lakes.
When does the ice go out on Sullivan Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 19, from 25 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 19, 2012 and the latest is April 29, 1996.