---
type: lake
name: "Nichols Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Payne"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 419
max_depth_ft: 31
latitude: 47.09201
longitude: -92.53829
lake_score: 55
dnr_lake_id: "69062700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/nichols-lake
---

# Nichols Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Payne

- **Surface Area**: 419 acres
- **Max Depth**: 31 ft
- **Average Depth**: 8 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 55/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## 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**: 12
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 18
- **Years of record**: 7
- **Earliest**: 2010-03-29
- **Latest**: 2008-05-01

## Nearby Lakes

- [Leora Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/leora-lake) - 6.4 miles, 263 acres
- [Strand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/strand-lake) - 7.1 miles, 330 acres
- [Aerie Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/aerie-lake) - 7.9 miles, 146 acres
- [Schelins Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/schelins-lake) - 8.8 miles, 161 acres
- [Dinham Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/dinham-lake) - 11.3 miles, 202 acres
- [Young Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/young-lake) - 11.5 miles, 132 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.09201,-92.53829)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69062700)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/nichols-lake)*