Perch Lake
About Perch Lake
Perch Lake is a 344-acre lake near Chisholm in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 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 2016.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around May 3, based on 10 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Perch Lake
- 344 acres, up to 30 feet deep, near Chisholm
- 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 10.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 344 acres
- Max depth
- 30 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 170 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
- 10
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2016
- 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
- May 3
- Years of record
- 10
- Earliest
- April 6, 2021
- Latest
- May 7, 2022
- Most recent
- April 22, 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 Perch Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Side Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm368 acres
1.3 miles away
Sturgeon Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm1,585 acres
2.8 miles away
Little Sturgeon Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm272 acres
2.9 miles away
Shannon Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Side Lake133 acres
3.1 miles away
West Sturgeon Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm117 acres
3.8 miles away
South Sturgeon Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Chisholm204 acres
4.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Perch Lake?
Perch Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Chisholm. It covers 344 acres and reaches 30 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Perch Lake?
Perch Lake covers 344 acres with about 3.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 30 feet.
What fish can you catch at Perch 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 Perch Lake?
Yes. Perch Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Perch Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Perch 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 Perch Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Perch Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Perch Lake?
The median ice-out date is May 3, from 10 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 6, 2021 and the latest is May 7, 2022.