Winchester Lake
About Winchester Lake
Winchester Lake is a 319-acre lake near Orr in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 50 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 28 feet, and has roughly 5.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 8 fish species here, including northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, lake trout, and splake. 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 2024.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in.
Plan Your Visit to Winchester Lake
- 319 acres, up to 50 feet deep, near Orr
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, smallmouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, lake trout, and splake
- Average water clarity around 7.8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 319 acres
- Max depth
- 50 ft
- Average depth
- 28 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 54 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
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
Best For
- Northern Pike 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
- 8
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Winchester Lake
Compare Winchester Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Elbow Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Gheen1,695 acres
4.4 miles away
Ban Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Orr389 acres
4.7 miles away
Vermilion River
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck1,071 acres
5.2 miles away
Kjostad Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck437 acres
5.4 miles away
Lake Susan
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Wakemup276 acres
6 miles away
Myrtle Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Orr876 acres
6.2 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Winchester Lake?
Winchester Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Orr. It covers 319 acres and reaches 50 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Winchester Lake?
Winchester Lake covers 319 acres with about 5.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 50 feet and its average depth is about 28 feet.
What fish can you catch at Winchester Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, Splake, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Winchester Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Winchester Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Winchester 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 Winchester Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Winchester Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.