Cody Lake
About Cody Lake
Cody Lake is a 259-acre lake near Wheatland in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 14 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 0.6 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including walleye, black crappie, bluegill, 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 2021.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around March 30, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Cody Lake
- 259 acres, up to 14 feet deep, near Wheatland
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 0.6 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 259 acres
- Max depth
- 14 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 0.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 259 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 (concrete)
Best For
- 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
- 7
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- 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 30
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- March 2, 2024
- Latest
- April 28, 2018
- Most recent
- March 19, 2025
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Cody Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Phelps Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Wheatland303 acres
0.6 miles away
Lake Pepin
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Montgomery403 acres
4.9 miles away
Shields Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville940 acres
6.9 miles away
Greenleaf Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Doyle302 acres
7.8 miles away
Mazaska Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville688 acres
7.9 miles away
Circle Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Lonsdale838 acres
8.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cody Lake?
Cody Lake is in Rice County, Minnesota, near Wheatland. It covers 259 acres and reaches 14 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Cody Lake?
Cody Lake covers 259 acres with about 5.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 14 feet.
What fish can you catch at Cody Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Cody Lake?
Yes. Cody Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Cody Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Cody 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 Cody Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Cody Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Cody Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 30, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 2, 2024 and the latest is April 28, 2018.