Lake Sarah
About Lake Sarah
Lake Sarah is a 1,209-acre lake near Garvin in Murray County, Minnesota. It reaches 10 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.1 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 14 Murray County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.1 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, 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 2025.
There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. Sundquist Park at West Lake Sarah is 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 March 30, based on 29 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lake Sarah
- 1,209 acres, up to 10 feet deep, near Garvin
- 3 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 3.1 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at Sundquist Park at West Lake Sarah
- Listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,209 acres
- Max depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 3.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,209 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)
- Camping: Sundquist Park at West Lake Sarah
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- 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
- 4
- 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
- March 30
- Years of record
- 29
- Earliest
- March 1, 2016
- Latest
- April 29, 2018
- Most recent
- March 9, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Sundquist Park at West Lake Sarah is mapped on or near Lake Sarah. 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 Sarah
Compare Lake Sarah against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Lake Sarah ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Lake Sarah ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Lake Sarah ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Lake Sarah ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Lake Sarah ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Lake Shetek
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreMurray · Currie3,462 acres
3.5 miles away
Iron Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreMurray · Current Lake282 acres
4.9 miles away
Lake of the Hill
13 out of 100 Lake ScoreLyon · Garvin147 acres
5.2 miles away
Bloody Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreMurray · Currie274 acres
5.2 miles away
Fox Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreMurray · Currie172 acres
6.2 miles away
Yankton Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreLyon · Balaton403 acres
7.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Sarah?
Lake Sarah is in Murray County, Minnesota, near Garvin. It covers 1,209 acres and reaches 10 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lake Sarah?
Lake Sarah covers 1,209 acres with about 8.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lake Sarah?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, 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 Lake Sarah?
Yes. Lake Sarah has 3 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lake Sarah?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lake Sarah. 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 Sarah stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lake Sarah; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Lake Sarah?
The median ice-out date is March 30, from 29 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 1, 2016 and the latest is April 29, 2018.
Can you camp at Lake Sarah?
Yes. Sundquist Park at West Lake Sarah is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Lake Sarah have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Lake Sarah 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.