---
type: lake
name: "Perkins Lake"
county: "Stevens"
nearest_town: "Donnelly"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 518
max_depth_ft: 13
latitude: 45.70084
longitude: -95.86175
lake_score: 49
dnr_lake_id: "75007500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stevens-county/perkins-lake
---

# Perkins Lake

Lake in Stevens County, Minnesota, near Donnelly

- **Surface Area**: 518 acres
- **Max Depth**: 13 ft
- **Average Depth**: 8 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 49/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Perkins Lake is a 518-acre lake near Donnelly in Stevens County, Minnesota. It reaches 13 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 8 feet, and has roughly 5 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 5 Stevens County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.4 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill. 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 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with 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**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

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

## Nearby Lakes

- [Lake Charlotte](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stevens-county/lake-charlotte) - 7 miles, 468 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stevens-county/long-lake) - 8.4 miles, 620 acres
- [Cottonwood Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/cottonwood-lake) - 8.7 miles, 255 acres
- [Lower Elk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/lower-elk-lake) - 11.4 miles, 131 acres
- [Elk Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/grant-county/elk-lake) - 11.8 miles, 207 acres
- [Page Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stevens-county/page-lake) - 12.8 miles, 375 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.70084,-95.86175)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=75007500)
- [All lakes in Stevens County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stevens-county)

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