---
type: lake
name: "Side Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Chisholm"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 368
max_depth_ft: 32
latitude: 47.67388
longitude: -93.01987
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "69093300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/side-lake
---

# Side Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Chisholm

- **Surface Area**: 368 acres
- **Max Depth**: 32 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 11.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## 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**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground

### Campgrounds

- McCarthy Beach State Park Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Golden Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 25
- **Years of record**: 22
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-26
- **Latest**: 2013-05-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Perch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/perch-lake) - 1.3 miles, 344 acres
- [Sturgeon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/sturgeon-lake) - 1.6 miles, 1,585 acres
- [Little Sturgeon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/little-sturgeon-lake) - 1.8 miles, 272 acres
- [West Sturgeon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/west-sturgeon-lake) - 2.5 miles, 117 acres
- [Beatrice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/beatrice-lake) - 3.2 miles, 124 acres
- [South Sturgeon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/south-sturgeon-lake) - 3.3 miles, 204 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.67388,-93.01987)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69093300)
- [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/side-lake)*