---
type: lake
name: "Lake Traverse"
county: "Traverse"
nearest_town: "Browns Valley"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 10849
max_depth_ft: 12
latitude: 45.68765
longitude: -96.74901
lake_score: 75
dnr_lake_id: "78002500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/traverse-county/lake-traverse
---

# Lake Traverse

Lake in Traverse County, Minnesota, near Browns Valley

- **Surface Area**: 10,849 acres
- **Max Depth**: 12 ft
- **Average Depth**: 9 ft
- **Shoreline**: 78.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 4.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 8 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 75/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)
- **Border Water**: shared with South Dakota

## About

Lake Traverse is a 10,849-acre lake near Browns Valley in Traverse County, Minnesota. It reaches 12 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 9 feet, and has roughly 78.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.3 feet. The lake is a border water shared with South Dakota, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 25 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie. 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 8 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota DNR, and county. OpenStreetMap shows a swim beach on or beside the lake. Browns Valley City Park and Traverse County. Park Campground are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 8, based on 31 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 8 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota DNR, county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 25
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Swimming, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Swim Beach, Campground, Picnic Area

### Campgrounds

- Browns Valley City Park
- Traverse County. Park Campground
- Rosebud RV Park

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Rock Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Golden Redhorse, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Orangespotted Sunfish, Quillback, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 8
- **Years of record**: 31
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-15
- **Latest**: 2013-05-07

## Nearby Lakes

- [Barry Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/barry-lake) - 11.4 miles, 398 acres
- [Mud Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/traverse-county/mud-lake) - 11.5 miles, 2,449 acres
- [East Toqua Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/east-toqua-lake) - 17.1 miles, 437 acres
- [Lannon Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/lannon-lake) - 18 miles, 197 acres
- [Big Stone Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/big-stone-lake) - 18.9 miles, 11,984 acres
- [North Rothwell Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/big-stone-county/north-rothwell-lake) - 19.1 miles, 297 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.68765,-96.74901)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=78002500)
- [All lakes in Traverse County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/traverse-county)

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