---
type: lake
name: "Gilchrist Lake"
county: "Pope"
nearest_town: "Terrace"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 336
max_depth_ft: 24
latitude: 45.47645
longitude: -95.36657
lake_score: 51
dnr_lake_id: "61007200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/gilchrist-lake
---

# Gilchrist Lake

Lake in Pope County, Minnesota, near Terrace

- **Surface Area**: 336 acres
- **Max Depth**: 24 ft
- **Average Depth**: 10 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 51/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Gilchrist Lake is a 336-acre lake near Terrace in Pope County, Minnesota. It reaches 24 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 5.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.9 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 10, based on 16 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**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 10
- **Years of record**: 16
- **Earliest**: 2007-03-01
- **Latest**: 2013-05-04

## Nearby Lakes

- [Linka Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/linka-lake) - 1 miles, 178 acres
- [Scandinavian Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/scandinavian-lake) - 1.9 miles, 417 acres
- [Goose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/goose-lake) - 2.9 miles, 324 acres
- [Nelson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/nelson-lake) - 5 miles, 293 acres
- [Camp Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/swift-county/camp-lake) - 5 miles, 230 acres
- [Lake Johanna](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/lake-johanna) - 7.1 miles, 1,399 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.47645,-95.36657)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=61007200)
- [All lakes in Pope County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county)

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