Dudley Lake
About Dudley Lake
Dudley Lake is a 128-acre lake near Faribault in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 60 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around March 30, based on 14 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Dudley Lake
- 128 acres, up to 60 feet deep, near Faribault
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 8.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 128 acres
- Max depth
- 60 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 8.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 85 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)
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 11
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- 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
- 14
- Earliest
- March 1, 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.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Dudley Lake
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Nearby Lakes
French Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault876 acres
1.8 miles away
Mazaska Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville688 acres
2 miles away
Roberds Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville632 acres
2 miles away
Fox Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Millersburg312 acres
3.2 miles away
Shields Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville940 acres
4 miles away
Circle Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Lonsdale838 acres
4.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dudley Lake?
Dudley Lake is in Rice County, Minnesota, near Faribault. It covers 128 acres and reaches 60 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Dudley Lake?
Dudley Lake covers 128 acres with about 3.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 60 feet.
What fish can you catch at Dudley Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Dudley Lake?
Yes. Dudley Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Dudley Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Dudley 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 Dudley Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Dudley Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Dudley Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 30, from 14 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 1, 2024 and the latest is April 29, 2018.