---
type: lake
name: "Elk Lake"
county: "Sherburne"
nearest_town: "Zimmerman"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 362
max_depth_ft: 15
latitude: 45.48723
longitude: -93.62646
lake_score: 47
dnr_lake_id: "71005500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/elk-lake
---

# Elk Lake

Lake in Sherburne County, Minnesota, near Zimmerman

- **Surface Area**: 362 acres
- **Max Depth**: 15 ft
- **Average Depth**: 7 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 1.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 47/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Elk Lake is a 362-acre lake near Zimmerman in Sherburne County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 7 feet, and has roughly 4.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 1.5 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2017.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 4, based on 9 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2017
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 4
- **Years of record**: 9
- **Earliest**: 2026-03-30
- **Latest**: 2008-04-21

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fremont Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/fremont-lake) - 3.3 miles, 493 acres
- [Sandy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/sandy-lake) - 5.2 miles, 64 acres
- [Lake Ann](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/lake-ann) - 5.4 miles, 183 acres
- [Blue Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/isanti-county/blue-lake) - 6.2 miles, 296 acres
- [West Hunter Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/west-hunter-lake) - 6.4 miles, 61 acres
- [Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/birch-lake) - 7.9 miles, 160 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.48723,-93.62646)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=71005500)
- [All lakes in Sherburne County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/sherburne-county/elk-lake)*