Briggs Lake
About Briggs Lake
Briggs Lake is a 404-acre lake near Clear Lake in Sherburne County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 12 feet, and has roughly 3.9 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 18 Sherburne County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.1 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 21 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth 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 2024.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 2, based on 13 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Briggs Lake
- 404 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Clear Lake
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie
- Average water clarity around 2.1 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
- 404 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Average depth
- 12 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 170 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)
- 1 carry-in access
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- 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
- 21
- Game fish
- 11
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- 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 2
- Years of record
- 13
- Earliest
- March 3, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 2013
- Most recent
- March 31, 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 Briggs Lake
Compare Briggs Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Briggs Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Briggs Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Briggs Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Briggs Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Rush Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreSherburne · Clear Lake161 acres
0.7 miles away
Lake Julia
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreSherburne · Clear Lake154 acres
1 miles away
Elk Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreSherburne · Clear Lake357 acres
1.9 miles away
Camp Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreSherburne · Clear Lake82 acres
4.1 miles away
Clear Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreSherburne · Clearwater113 acres
6.3 miles away
Pickerel Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreSherburne · Cable108 acres
6.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Briggs Lake?
Briggs Lake is in Sherburne County, Minnesota, near Clear Lake. It covers 404 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Briggs Lake?
Briggs Lake covers 404 acres with about 3.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet and its average depth is about 12 feet.
What fish can you catch at Briggs Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White 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 Briggs Lake?
Yes. Briggs Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Briggs Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Briggs 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 Briggs Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Briggs Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Briggs Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 2, from 13 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 3, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 2013.