Lakes in Polk County, Minnesota
13 lakes in Polk County, ranked by Lake Score.
Polk County has 13 lakes in this directory covering about 5,490 acres of water. The largest is Maple Lake at 1,641 acres, and the deepest on record is Union Lake at 83 feet. 10 have a public boat launch and 3 have a mapped swim beach.
The fish most often recorded in DNR surveys here are northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, black crappie, and bluegill.
Lake Sarah
70 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Erskine366 acres
Maple Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Mentor1,641 acres
Spring Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Lengby134 acres
Union Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Erskine887 acres
Cross Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Fosston320 acres
Badger Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Erskine256 acres
Hill River
52 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · McIntosh102 acres
Whitefish Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Fosston243 acres
Cameron Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Erskine225 acres
Sand Hill Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Fosston479 acres
Lake Crystal
33 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Erskine118 acres
Turtle Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScorePolk · Fosston525 acres
All 13 lakes
Sorted by rank. Tap a lake for access, fish species and directions.
| Lake | Acres | Max depth | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Sarahnear Erskine | 366 | 27 ft | 70 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Maple Lakenear Mentor | 1,641 | 14 ft | 67 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Spring Lakenear Lengby | 134 | 35 ft | 61 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Union Lakenear Erskine | 887 | 83 ft | 59 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Cross Lakenear Fosston | 320 | 19 ft | 57 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Badger Lakenear Erskine | 256 | 19 ft | 55 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Hill Rivernear McIntosh | 102 | 60 ft | 52 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Whitefish Lakenear Fosston | 243 | 18 ft | 51 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Cameron Lakenear Erskine | 225 | 9 ft | 47 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Sand Hill Lakenear Fosston | 479 | 17 ft | 45 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Lake Crystalnear Erskine | 118 | 30 ft | 33 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Turtle Lakenear Fosston | 525 | 12 ft | 29 out of 100 Lake Score |
| Cable Lakenear Mentor | 194 | 14 ft | 27 out of 100 Lake Score |
Best of Polk County
Lakes by amenity
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lakes are in Polk County, Minnesota?
This directory lists 13 lakes in Polk County — those of roughly 100 acres or more (plus smaller lakes with public access and a fishery) in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. The county has more small, unnamed and private basins that are not listed.
What is the largest lake in Polk County?
Maple Lake is the largest at 1,641 acres, near Mentor.
What is the deepest lake in Polk County?
Union Lake has the greatest recorded depth at 83 feet.
What fish can you catch in Polk County lakes?
DNR surveys most often record northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, black crappie, and bluegill in Polk County lakes. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older.