Side Lake
About Side Lake
Side Lake is a 368-acre lake near Chisholm in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 32 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 11.3 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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 2023.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. McCarthy Beach State Park Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 25, based on 22 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Side Lake
- 368 acres, up to 32 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, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 11.3 feet
- Camping close to the water at McCarthy Beach State Park Campground
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 368 acres
- Max depth
- 32 ft
- Shoreline
- 4 mi
- Water clarity
- 11.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 153 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)
- Camping: McCarthy Beach State Park Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 15
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- 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 25
- Years of record
- 22
- Earliest
- March 26, 2012
- Latest
- May 14, 2013
- Most recent
- April 22, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
McCarthy Beach State Park Campground is mapped on or near Side Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Side Lake
Compare Side Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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See how Side Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Side Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Perch Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm344 acres
1.3 miles away
Sturgeon Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm1,585 acres
1.6 miles away
Little Sturgeon Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm272 acres
1.8 miles away
West Sturgeon Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Chisholm117 acres
2.5 miles away
Beatrice Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Side Lake124 acres
3.2 miles away
South Sturgeon Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Chisholm204 acres
3.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Side Lake?
Side Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Chisholm. It covers 368 acres and reaches 32 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Side Lake?
Side Lake covers 368 acres with about 4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 32 feet.
What fish can you catch at Side Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Side Lake?
Yes. Side Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Side Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Side 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 Side Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Side Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Side Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 25, from 22 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 26, 2012 and the latest is May 14, 2013.
Can you camp at Side Lake?
Yes. McCarthy Beach State Park Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.