---
type: lake
name: "Badger Lake"
county: "Polk"
nearest_town: "Erskine"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 256
max_depth_ft: 19
latitude: 47.68082
longitude: -96.01381
lake_score: 55
dnr_lake_id: "60021400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/polk-county/badger-lake
---

# Badger Lake

Lake in Polk County, Minnesota, near Erskine

- **Surface Area**: 256 acres
- **Max Depth**: 19 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (gravel or earth)
- **Lake Score**: 55/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Badger Lake is a 256-acre lake near Erskine in Polk County, Minnesota. It reaches 19 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.2 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, 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 2016.

There are 2 public boat launches (gravel or earth surface) managed by the county and Minnesota DNR.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (gravel or earth)
- **Managed by**: county, Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 9
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2016
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Cameron Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/polk-county/cameron-lake) - 1.1 miles, 225 acres
- [Lake Sarah](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/polk-county/lake-sarah) - 4.8 miles, 366 acres
- [Lake Crystal](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/polk-county/lake-crystal) - 5.5 miles, 118 acres
- [Cable Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/polk-county/cable-lake) - 7.5 miles, 194 acres
- [Union Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/polk-county/union-lake) - 7.5 miles, 887 acres
- [Maple Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/polk-county/maple-lake) - 7.5 miles, 1,641 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.68082,-96.01381)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=60021400)
- [All lakes in Polk County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/polk-county)

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