Roberds Lake
About Roberds Lake
Roberds Lake is a 632-acre lake near Shieldsville in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 43 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.1 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie. 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 (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Roberds Lake Resort & Campgrounds and Winjum's Shady Acres Campgrounds & Resort are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 3, based on 49 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Roberds Lake
- 632 acres, up to 43 feet deep, near Shieldsville
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie
- Average water clarity around 5.1 feet
- Camping close to the water at Roberds Lake Resort & Campgrounds and Winjum's Shady Acres Campgrounds & Resort
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 632 acres
- Max depth
- 43 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 393 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)
- Camping: Roberds Lake Resort & Campgrounds and Winjum's Shady Acres Campgrounds & Resort
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 17
- Game fish
- 10
- 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
- April 3
- Years of record
- 49
- Earliest
- February 29, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 2018
- Most recent
- March 26, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Roberds Lake Resort & Campgrounds and Winjum's Shady Acres Campgrounds & Resort are mapped on or near Roberds 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 Roberds Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Dudley Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault128 acres
2 miles away
French Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault876 acres
2.5 miles away
Wells Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault677 acres
2.8 miles away
Mazaska Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville688 acres
3.9 miles away
Fox Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Millersburg312 acres
4.5 miles away
Cannon Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault1,593 acres
4.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Roberds Lake?
Roberds Lake is in Rice County, Minnesota, near Shieldsville. It covers 632 acres and reaches 43 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Roberds Lake?
Roberds Lake covers 632 acres with about 5.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 43 feet.
What fish can you catch at Roberds Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Channel Catfish and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Roberds Lake?
Yes. Roberds Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Roberds Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Roberds 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 Roberds Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Roberds Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Roberds Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 3, from 49 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is February 29, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 2018.
Can you camp at Roberds Lake?
Yes. Roberds Lake Resort & Campgrounds and Winjum's Shady Acres Campgrounds & Resort are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.