Nichols Lake
About Nichols Lake
Nichols Lake is a 419-acre lake near Payne in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 31 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 8 feet, and has roughly 4.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. 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. Ice typically goes out around April 18, based on 7 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Nichols Lake
- 419 acres, up to 31 feet deep, near Payne
- 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 bluegill
- Average water clarity around 6.2 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 419 acres
- Max depth
- 31 ft
- Average depth
- 8 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 362 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
- 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
- 12
- Game fish
- 8
- 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 18
- Years of record
- 7
- Earliest
- March 29, 2010
- Latest
- May 1, 2008
- 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 Nichols Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Leora Lake
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6.4 miles away
Strand Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton330 acres
7.1 miles away
Aerie Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Alborn146 acres
7.9 miles away
Schelins Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Independence (St. Louis)161 acres
8.8 miles away
Dinham Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Melrude202 acres
11.3 miles away
Young Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Melrude132 acres
11.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nichols Lake?
Nichols Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Payne. It covers 419 acres and reaches 31 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Nichols Lake?
Nichols Lake covers 419 acres with about 4.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 31 feet and its average depth is about 8 feet.
What fish can you catch at Nichols Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth 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 Nichols Lake?
Yes. Nichols Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Nichols Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Nichols 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 Nichols Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Nichols Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Nichols Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 18, from 7 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 29, 2010 and the latest is May 1, 2008.