---
type: lake
name: "Villard Lake"
county: "Pope"
nearest_town: "Villard"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 544
max_depth_ft: 16
latitude: 45.71078
longitude: -95.29123
lake_score: 52
dnr_lake_id: "61006700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/villard-lake
---

# Villard Lake

Lake in Pope County, Minnesota, near Villard

- **Surface Area**: 544 acres
- **Max Depth**: 16 ft
- **Average Depth**: 10 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 52/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Villard Lake is a 544-acre lake near Villard in Pope County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 3.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.1 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 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 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the city. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: city
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 14
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **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, Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [Leven Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/leven-lake) - 1.3 miles, 282 acres
- [Amelia Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/amelia-lake) - 1.8 miles, 934 acres
- [Westport Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/westport-lake) - 4.2 miles, 203 acres
- [Maple Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/maple-lake) - 6 miles, 831 acres
- [Lake Reno](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/lake-reno) - 6.6 miles, 3,809 acres
- [Turtle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/turtle-lake) - 6.9 miles, 218 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.71078,-95.29123)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=61006700)
- [All lakes in Pope County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county)

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