---
type: lake
name: "Circle Lake"
county: "Rice"
nearest_town: "Lonsdale"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 838
max_depth_ft: 14
latitude: 44.4141
longitude: -93.34598
lake_score: 53
dnr_lake_id: "66002700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/circle-lake
---

# Circle Lake

Lake in Rice County, Minnesota, near Lonsdale

- **Surface Area**: 838 acres
- **Max Depth**: 14 ft
- **Shoreline**: 9.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 5.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 53/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Circle Lake is an 838-acre lake near Lonsdale in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 14 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 9.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.5 feet.

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 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around March 29, based on 14 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**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, White Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Smallmouth Buffalo, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: March 29
- **Years of record**: 14
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-03
- **Latest**: 2013-04-28

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fox Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/fox-lake) - 1.9 miles, 312 acres
- [Union Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/union-lake) - 3.5 miles, 397 acres
- [Mazaska Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/mazaska-lake) - 3.7 miles, 688 acres
- [Dudley Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/dudley-lake) - 4.1 miles, 128 acres
- [Shields Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/shields-lake) - 5.6 miles, 940 acres
- [French Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county/french-lake) - 5.6 miles, 876 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.4141,-93.34598)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=66002700)
- [All lakes in Rice County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/rice-county)

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