Phelps Lake
About Phelps Lake
Phelps Lake is a 303-acre lake near Wheatland in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 8 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 0.9 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around March 27, based on 14 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Phelps Lake
- 303 acres, up to 8 feet deep, near Wheatland
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Average water clarity around 0.9 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
- 303 acres
- Max depth
- 8 ft
- Shoreline
- 3 mi
- Water clarity
- 0.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 303 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)
- 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
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- March 27
- Years of record
- 14
- Earliest
- March 2, 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 Phelps Lake
Compare Phelps Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Cody Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Wheatland259 acres
0.6 miles away
Lake Pepin
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Montgomery403 acres
4.8 miles away
Shields Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville940 acres
6.6 miles away
Greenleaf Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Doyle302 acres
7.3 miles away
Mazaska Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville688 acres
7.7 miles away
Dora Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Doyle733 acres
7.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Phelps Lake?
Phelps Lake is in Rice County, Minnesota, near Wheatland. It covers 303 acres and reaches 8 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Phelps Lake?
Phelps Lake covers 303 acres with about 3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 8 feet.
What fish can you catch at Phelps Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Phelps Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Phelps Lake?
Yes. Phelps Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Phelps Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Phelps 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.
When does the ice go out on Phelps Lake?
The median ice-out date is March 27, from 14 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 2, 2024 and the latest is April 29, 2018.