Strand Lake
About Strand Lake
Strand Lake is a 330-acre lake near Cotton in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.9 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 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. Special fishing regulations apply to crappie and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the township. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 10 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Strand Lake
- 330 acres, up to 16 feet deep, near Cotton
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 3.9 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 330 acres
- Max depth
- 16 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 3.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 329 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 (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- 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
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Crappie, Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 17
- Years of record
- 10
- Earliest
- April 11, 2006
- Latest
- April 26, 2008
- 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 Strand Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Leora Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton263 acres
2.8 miles away
Long Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton199 acres
4.8 miles away
Cameron Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton168 acres
5 miles away
Schubert Lake
28 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Cotton212 acres
5.5 miles away
Dinham Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Melrude202 acres
5.7 miles away
Nichols Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Payne419 acres
7.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Strand Lake?
Strand Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Cotton. It covers 330 acres and reaches 16 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Strand Lake?
Strand Lake covers 330 acres with about 5.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 16 feet.
What fish can you catch at Strand Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Strand Lake?
Yes. Strand Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Strand Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Strand 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 Strand Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Strand Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Strand Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five.
When does the ice go out on Strand Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 17, from 10 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 11, 2006 and the latest is April 26, 2008.