---
type: lake
name: "Great Northern Lake"
county: "Stearns"
nearest_town: "Cold Spring"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 196
max_depth_ft: 16.2
latitude: 45.44035
longitude: -94.46845
lake_score: 45
dnr_lake_id: "73008300"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/great-northern-lake
---

# Great Northern Lake

Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Cold Spring

- **Surface Area**: 196 acres
- **Max Depth**: 16 ft
- **Average Depth**: 6 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 45/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Great Northern Lake is a 196-acre lake near Cold Spring in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 16 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 6 feet, and has roughly 6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3.1 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 22 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## 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**: 22
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Bolfing Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/bolfing-lake) - 0.7 miles, 109 acres
- [Zumwalde Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/zumwalde-lake) - 0.9 miles, 128 acres
- [Knaus Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/knaus-lake) - 0.9 miles, 216 acres
- [Cedar Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/cedar-island-lake) - 1.7 miles, 986 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/horseshoe-lake) - 3.3 miles, 629 acres
- [Becker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/becker-lake) - 3.4 miles, 221 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.44035,-94.46845)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=73008300)
- [All lakes in Stearns County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/great-northern-lake)*