---
type: lake
name: "Knaus Lake"
county: "Stearns"
nearest_town: "Cold Spring"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 216
max_depth_ft: 20
latitude: 45.43518
longitude: -94.45077
lake_score: 45
dnr_lake_id: "73008600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/knaus-lake
---

# Knaus Lake

Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Cold Spring

- **Surface Area**: 216 acres
- **Max Depth**: 20 ft
- **Average Depth**: 6 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 45/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Knaus Lake is a 216-acre lake near Cold Spring in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 20 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 6 feet, and has roughly 4.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface). 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**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 19
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **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, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, 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
- [Great Northern Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/great-northern-lake) - 0.9 miles, 196 acres
- [Zumwalde Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/zumwalde-lake) - 1.7 miles, 128 acres
- [Cedar Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/cedar-island-lake) - 2.4 miles, 986 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/horseshoe-lake) - 4 miles, 629 acres
- [Becker Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/becker-lake) - 4.3 miles, 221 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.43518,-94.45077)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=73008600)
- [All lakes in Stearns County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county)

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