Pearl Lake
About Pearl Lake
Pearl Lake is a 753-acre lake near Cold Spring in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 17 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.9 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 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 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 4, based on 15 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Pearl Lake
- 753 acres, up to 17 feet deep, near Cold Spring
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 2.9 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 753 acres
- Max depth
- 17 ft
- Average depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 4 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 511 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 (concrete)
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
- 14
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 4
- Years of record
- 15
- Earliest
- March 4, 2024
- Latest
- May 2, 2013
- Most recent
- March 31, 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 Pearl Lake
Compare Pearl Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Pearl Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Pearl Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Pearl Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Pearl Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Carnelian Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Kimball180 acres
2.7 miles away
Grand Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Coldspring651 acres
3 miles away
Beaver Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Luxemburg112 acres
3.1 miles away
Goodners Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Cold Spring191 acres
3.5 miles away
School Section Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Kimball211 acres
5 miles away
Pleasant Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreStearns · Pleasant Lake218 acres
6.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pearl Lake?
Pearl Lake is in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Cold Spring. It covers 753 acres and reaches 17 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pearl Lake?
Pearl Lake covers 753 acres with about 4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 17 feet and its average depth is about 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pearl Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Pearl Lake?
Yes. Pearl Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Pearl Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pearl 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 Pearl Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pearl Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Pearl Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 4, from 15 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 4, 2024 and the latest is May 2, 2013.