Loon Lake
About Loon Lake
Loon Lake is a 271-acre lake near Aurora in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 85 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 17.7 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 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 2020.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the township. Ice typically goes out around April 23, based on 42 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Loon Lake
- 271 acres, up to 85 feet deep, near Aurora
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 17.7 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 271 acres
- Max depth
- 85 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 17.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 70 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
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 13
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2020
- 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 23
- Years of record
- 42
- Earliest
- March 24, 2012
- Latest
- May 11, 2013
- Most recent
- April 24, 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 Loon Lake
Compare Loon Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Loon Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Mud Hen Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Makinen161 acres
2.8 miles away
Coe Lake
43 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Makinen54 acres
3.3 miles away
South Twin Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Aurora118 acres
4 miles away
North Twin Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Aurora65 acres
4.3 miles away
Markham Lake
11 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Markham229 acres
4.6 miles away
Section Fourteen Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Makinen136 acres
5.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Loon Lake?
Loon Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Aurora. It covers 271 acres and reaches 85 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Loon Lake?
Loon Lake covers 271 acres with about 4.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 85 feet.
What fish can you catch at Loon Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Loon Lake?
Yes. Loon Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Loon Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Loon 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 Loon Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Loon Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Loon Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 23, from 42 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 24, 2012 and the latest is May 11, 2013.