Cannon Lake
About Cannon Lake
Cannon Lake is a 1,593-acre lake near Faribault in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Rice County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.6 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 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. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (asphalt surface) managed by the county. Doc's Dock is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with flowering rush — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around March 31, based on 45 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Cannon Lake
- 1,593 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Faribault
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt) — managed by the county
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 1.6 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at Doc's Dock
- Listed as infested with flowering rush — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,593 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 12 mi
- Water clarity
- 1.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,593 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
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- Camping: Doc's Dock
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 18
- Game fish
- 9
- 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 31
- Years of record
- 45
- Earliest
- February 28, 2024
- Latest
- April 29, 2018
- Most recent
- March 26, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Doc's Dock is mapped on or near Cannon Lake. 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 Cannon Lake
Compare Cannon Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Cannon Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Wells Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault677 acres
2.7 miles away
Cedar Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Warsaw902 acres
3.6 miles away
Roberds Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville632 acres
4.6 miles away
French Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault876 acres
5.3 miles away
Caron Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Kilkenny319 acres
5.6 miles away
Hunt Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville176 acres
6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cannon Lake?
Cannon Lake is in Rice County, Minnesota, near Faribault. It covers 1,593 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Cannon Lake?
Cannon Lake covers 1,593 acres with about 12 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Cannon Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, and White Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Cannon Lake?
Yes. Cannon Lake has 1 public boat launch (asphalt), managed by the county. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Cannon Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Cannon Lake. 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 Cannon Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Cannon Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Cannon Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 31, from 45 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is February 28, 2024 and the latest is April 29, 2018.
Can you camp at Cannon Lake?
Yes. Doc's Dock is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Cannon Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Cannon Lake as infested with flowering rush. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.