Sauk Lake
About Sauk Lake
Sauk Lake is a 2,126-acre lake near Sauk Centre in Todd County, Minnesota. It reaches 61 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 17 feet, and has roughly 22.3 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 2 among the 40 Todd County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black 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 2025.
There are 4 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and city. Sinclair Lewis City CG and Sinclair Lewis Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with flowering rush and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 15, based on 43 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sauk Lake
- 2,126 acres, up to 61 feet deep, near Sauk Centre
- 4 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and city
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 4.6 feet
- Camping close to the water at Sinclair Lewis City CG and Sinclair Lewis Campground
- Listed as infested with flowering rush and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, city
Conditions
- Surface area
- 2,126 acres
- Max depth
- 61 ft
- Average depth
- 17 ft
- Shoreline
- 22.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 1,380 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
- 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: Sinclair Lewis City CG and Sinclair Lewis Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 18
- Game fish
- 10
- 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 15
- Years of record
- 43
- Earliest
- March 16, 2016
- Latest
- May 1, 2018
- Most recent
- April 8, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Sinclair Lewis City CG and Sinclair Lewis Campground are mapped on or near Sauk Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Sauk Lake
Compare Sauk Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Sauk Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Sauk Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Sauk Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Sauk Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Sauk Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Fairy Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreTodd · Sauk Centre307 acres
2.2 miles away
Long Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreTodd · Spaulding230 acres
2.7 miles away
Long Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreTodd · Little Sauk107 acres
2.9 miles away
Cedar Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreTodd · Little Sauk139 acres
4.4 miles away
Little Sauk Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreTodd · Little Sauk277 acres
5.5 miles away
Juergens Lake
22 out of 100 Lake ScoreTodd · Little Sauk117 acres
5.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sauk Lake?
Sauk Lake is in Todd County, Minnesota, near Sauk Centre. It covers 2,126 acres and reaches 61 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sauk Lake?
Sauk Lake covers 2,126 acres with about 22.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 61 feet and its average depth is about 17 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sauk Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Sauk Lake?
Yes. Sauk Lake has 4 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and city. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Sauk Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Sauk 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 Sauk Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Sauk Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Sauk Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 15, from 43 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 16, 2016 and the latest is May 1, 2018.
Can you camp at Sauk Lake?
Yes. Sinclair Lewis City CG and Sinclair Lewis Campground are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Sauk Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Sauk Lake as infested with flowering rush and zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.