Dinham Lake
About Dinham Lake
Dinham Lake is a 202-acre lake near Melrude in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 13 feet, and has roughly 3.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2018.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 11 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Dinham Lake
- 202 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Melrude
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 4.2 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 202 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Average depth
- 13 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 132 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)
Best For
- 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2018
- 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 18
- Years of record
- 11
- Earliest
- March 15, 2024
- Latest
- May 6, 2022
- Most recent
- April 23, 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 Dinham Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Cameron Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton168 acres
2.4 miles away
Young Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Melrude132 acres
2.7 miles away
Morcom Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Melrude206 acres
2.8 miles away
Schubert Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton212 acres
3.2 miles away
Strand Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton330 acres
5.7 miles away
Long Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton199 acres
6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dinham Lake?
Dinham Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Melrude. It covers 202 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Dinham Lake?
Dinham Lake covers 202 acres with about 3.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet and its average depth is about 13 feet.
What fish can you catch at Dinham Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, 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 Dinham Lake?
Yes. Dinham Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Dinham Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Dinham 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 Dinham Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Dinham Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Dinham Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 18, from 11 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 15, 2024 and the latest is May 6, 2022.