---
type: lake
name: "Vails Lake"
county: "Stearns"
nearest_town: "Eden Valley"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 161
max_depth_ft: 20
latitude: 45.33827
longitude: -94.53381
lake_score: 50
dnr_lake_id: "73015100"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/vails-lake
---

# Vails Lake

Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Eden Valley

- **Surface Area**: 161 acres
- **Max Depth**: 20 ft
- **Average Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 1.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 4.1 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 50/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Vails Lake is a 161-acre lake near Eden Valley in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 20 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 1.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.1 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 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 2024.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## 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**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Eden Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/eden-lake) - 1 miles, 278 acres
- [North Brown's Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/north-brown-s-lake) - 3.3 miles, 312 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/long-lake) - 4.2 miles, 487 acres
- [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/rice-lake) - 4.7 miles, 1,513 acres
- [Clear Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/clear-lake) - 6 miles, 529 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/horseshoe-lake) - 6.1 miles, 629 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.33827,-94.53381)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=73015100)
- [All lakes in Stearns County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county)

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